FALCON POWERS – Russia began naval maneuvers in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, including drills on anti-submarine and air strike operations, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
This announcement comes ahead of a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea on Tuesday, with the aim of establishing a strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang, which are bound by “the firm bonds of comradeship in arms,” as the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said.
These maneuvers, involving around 40 ships and boats as well as about 20 aircraft and helicopters, will continue from June 18 to June 28 in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk Sea in Russia’s Far East, the ministry said.
The statement explained that “this year, the maneuvers will be bilateral for the first time between the Primorsky Fleet, which includes diverse forces from the Pacific Fleet, and the Joint Command of Forces in the Northeastern Regions of Russia.”
The command of the Russian Pacific Fleet said in its statement that sailors will have to carry out drills to repel air attacks and unmanned surface vehicles, conduct a series of practical combat training, practice anti-submarine operations, organize all types of ship formation defense during maritime passage, as well as conduct joint missile strikes against simulated enemy naval groups.
