Russia’s Pacific Fleet conducts unplanned exercises

In this handout photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on April 14, 2023, a Russian nuclear submarine sails off to take part in the Pacific Fleet drills near Vladivostok, Russia.  (PHOTO / AP)

MOSCOW – Russia's Pacific Fleet was conducting unexpected drills to test its combat readiness, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday.

The exercises were conducted in three stages: first, naval forces entered a state of combat readiness; second, permanent readiness forces were deployed to combat training areas; and third, the forces performed combat training tasks, said Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov

The country's naval forces were put on high alert on Friday morning for unplanned combat exercises, which also involved part of Russian aerospace forces, as well as military and support units, he said, adding the main goal of the operations was to "increase the ability of the armed forces to repel the aggression of a potential enemy from the oceans and seas."

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The exercises were conducted in three stages: first, naval forces entered a state of combat readiness; second, permanent readiness forces were deployed to combat training areas; and third, the forces performed combat training tasks, said Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov.

Warships, boats and support vessels of the fleet "have left their permanent deployment points and have begun operational deployment in the designated areas," the defense ministry said in a statement.