Sputnik International reports: “Major Russian naval drills kicked off on July 30. The main goal of the exercises is to check the actions of the Navy’s military authorities at all levels, as well as the readiness of ship crews, naval aviation units and coastal troops of the Navy to perform tasks, the Russian Ministry of Defense explained.

The Russian Navy has begun planned exercises on the use of forces by the Baltic, Northern and Pacific Fleets, and the Caspian Flotilla, the Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday.

The Ministry clarifies that about 300 surface ships and boats, submarines and support vessels, up to 50 aircraft, more than 200 units of military and special equipment, and over 20,000 military personnel are involved in combat training events.

Within a few days, the crews of ships, naval aviation units and coastal troops of the three fleets, and the Caspian Flotilla, will perform over 300 combat exercises with the practical use of weapons…”