Russia to Hold Large-Scale Mediterranean, Black Sea Naval Drills
http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130102/178543197/Russia_to_Hold_Large-Scale.html

MOSCOW, January 2, 2013 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will hold large-scale naval
drills in the Mediterranean and Black Seas in late January with the
involvement of warships from the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific
Fleets, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press office reported on Wednesday.

“The Russian Navy’s drills of this scope will be held for the first time
over the past few decades and are designed to improve control, ensure and
practice multiservice force interaction of the fleets in the far-off
maritime zones,” the press office said.

The drills will be held in line with the Russian Armed Forces’ 2013 combat
training plan and will aim to “practice the issues of establishing a
multiservice grouping of forces (troops) outside Russia, planning its use
and conducting joint actions as part of a united naval grouping based on a
common plan,” the press office said.

The naval task forces from the Russian Fleets are currently heading towards
the designated areas of the naval exercises.

The drills will also simulate operations to load marine troops and
paratroopers from the rough coast of the North Caucasus onto amphibious
ships and will help the Navy’s personnel acquire necessary marine practice
skills during the performance of “combat training missions in the Black and
Mediterranean Seas,” the press office said.