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Russian navy flexing muscles in Barents Sea

The Northern Fleet is conducting large-scale exercises in the Barents Sea (Photo Flot.com)

Russia’s Northern Fleet is conducting a large-scale exercise in the Barents Sea involving submarines, surface vessels, ground force and air force units.

Location

The exercise, which continues until next week, involves Russia’s only aircraft carrier “Admiral Kuznetsov”, the nuclear cruiser “Admiral Ushakov” and the destroyers “Admiral Chabanenko” and “Vice Admiral Kulakov”, ITAR-TASS reports.

The main purpose of the exercise is to strengthen coordination between different branches and units.

Tu-95 and Tu-22 planes bombers from the airforce’s long-range aviation are participating in the exercise, as well as antiaircraft defense units, naval infantry and the 200. motorized infantry brigade.

On Thursday vessels conducted missile firing on surface targets, and in course of the exercise several types of cruise missiles and weapons will be used.

The Northern Fleet normally holds this type of exercises in early autumn, with the number of involved vessels and units varying from year to year.

The Northern Fleet’s naval infantry and the 200. motorized infantry brigade earlier this week conducted joint exercises on the Sredniy Peninsula. Watch video from this exercise on TV21.