MOSCOW, September 16. /ITAR-TASS/. In the course of an ad hoc inspection of branches and services of Russia’s Eastern Military District, a tactical assault group of ships of the Pacific Fleet consisting of missile-carrying cruiser The Varyag and big antisubmarine ships The Admiral Vinogradov and The Admiral Panteleyev has held a tracking exercise in the Sea of Okhotsk and in the Avacha Bay on the eastern shore of Kamchatka.

It was joined by two tracking and assault groups of small antisubmarine ships, the press service of the Defense Ministry said.

“The ships simulated elements of maneuvering and re-forming of the combat order, as well as organization of air defense by an entire grouping out in the sea,” it said.

The exercise also included simulation and assessment of episodes of watch and signaling while cruising in formation and the organization of data exchanges on surface, underwater and aerial data.

The press service said the exercise involved about ten ships of various types that were supported by sea-based aircraft.