MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. The Kola flotilla of mine sweepers will support the deployment of nuclear submarines of Russia’s Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea within the framework of a sudden combat readiness inspection launched on Monday, the Defense Ministry said in a report, received by TASS.

"Mine-sweeping groups of the Kola Flotilla have moved to the designated areas of the Barents within the framework of a snap check of combat readiness of the Northern Fleet forces for supporting the deployment of the main forces of the fleet, including the deployment of nuclear and diesel submarines of the Northern Fleet," the statement says.

In particular, the Kotelnich, Kolomna, Yadrin, Polyarny and BT-111 mine sweepers will drill demining operations with the use of magnetic, acoustic and contact sweeps.

Previous reports said that the snap check of combat readiness of the Northern Fleet, separate formations of the Western Military District and Airborne Forces involves 38,000 troops, 3,360 military equipment pieces, 41 warships and 15 submarines and 110 planes and helicopters. The inspection to check Northern Fleet’s readiness to ensure the country’s security in the Arctic will last until March 21.