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Russia is considered by most military analysts to have the
world's third most powerful navy after those of the United
States and China, and Russia has a significant ballistic-missile
nuclear submarine fleet.
The Russian drills, which include 20,000 personnel and 300
ships, will test the readiness and capabilities of the navy at
all levels, the ministry said.
The drills will include over 300 combat exercises including
practicing the use of anti-aircraft missiles, artillery,
anti-submarine weapons and "passive interference, it added.
"Units and formations of the Russian Navy have begun conducting
planned exercises in the operational zones of the Northern,
Pacific and Baltic Fleets, as well as in the area of
responsibility of the Caspian Flotilla," the ministry said.
"The main purpose of the exercises is to check the actions of
the military authorities of the navy at all levels, as well as
the readiness of the crews of ships, units of naval aviation and
coastal troops of the Russian navy to perform tasks."
About 300 surface ships and boats, submarines and support
vessels, some 50 aircraft and more than 200 units of military
and special equipment will be involved in the combat training,
the ministry said.
Since President Vladimir Putin sent thousands of troops into
Ukraine in February 2022, the Russia's Black Sea fleet - the
only Russian fleet formation not taking part in the drills - has
struggled to adapt to dynamic modern drone warfare and the chief
of the navy was replaced earlier this year.
At celebrations of Russian navy day on Sunday, Putin warned the
United States that if Washington deployed longer range missiles
in Germany then Russia would station similar missiles in
striking distance of the West.
Since launching an invasion on Ukraine in February 2022, Russia
has conducted numerous military exercises on its own or with
other countries, including China or South Africa.
In the past two months, Russia has also conducted a series of
mobile nuclear missile launcher drills and tactical nuclear
weapons deployment exercises. It has also increased military
training with Belarus, which borders both Russia and Ukraine,
conducting a series of comprehensive drills.
(Writing by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Guy Faulconbridge in
Moscow; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Michael Perry and
Miral Fahmy)
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