The Russian Navy has started major military drills in the Black and Mediterranean Seas. The exercises, under the supervision of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, involve eight major warships from the Black Sea, Baltic and North Fleets, a spokesperson with the ministry told local media. As the largest war games in a decade, the maneuvers were aimed at checking the readiness of military command and the inter-fleet forces to fulfill missions in distant waters.

Besides a guard missile-carrying cruiser, an anti-sub ship and some support ships, the drills also involve long-range aviation and the fourth Air Force/Air Defense command. The drills will last until Jan. 29. Russian sailors will conduct over 60 training missions including missile and artillery shooting exercises.