Russia begins large-scale military drills

Russia began Tuesday large-scale military drills involving every part of its navy not engaged in the “special military operation” in Ukraine, the defense ministry said – per Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Some 300 vessels, including submarines, and more than 20,000 personnel will be involved in the exercises, which are being staged in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, as well as the Baltic and Caspian Seas.

The drills will involve “more than 300 combat exercises with the practical use of combat weapons,” the ministry said.

“The main purposes of the exercises is to test the actions of the navy’s military command at all levels, as well as the readiness of the ships’ crews, naval aviation units and naval coastal troops,” it continued.

Around 50 aircraft and more than 200 units of military and specialized equipment will also be used in the drills, which will last for “several days” – according to the statement.

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, the fifth division, is engaged in the offensive on Ukraine, where it has sustained significant losses over more than two years of combat.

Ukraine says it has damaged or destroyed a third of Russia’s fleet in the Black Sea – a notable military success for Kyiv as its troops struggle to hold ground on land.