Six Russian warships are heading from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea to take part in naval exercises, Interfax news agency reported, citing a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The ships are on a planned crossing of the Mediterranean.
Russia announced last month that the Russian navy would conduct exercises in January with the participation of all Russian fleets, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, in the latest show of strength in its conflict with the West.
Moscow announced on January 20 that more than 140 warships and 10,000 troops would take part in large-scale naval exercises in the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific and Mediterranean regions in January and February.
The main goal of these exercises is to activate “naval, air and space forces” and to address the “threats” coming from “the seas and oceans”, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
At the same time, Russian news agencies reported the start of military exercises in southern Russia.
The regular night military exercises will involve missile systems, tanks and armored vehicles, the agencies reported, citing a representative of the military administration of the southern Russian region.
Moscow had announced in December that it would conduct military exercises in the southern region during 2022.
The southern military district borders Ukraine and includes annexed Crimea. However, a list of the 10 regions of southern Russia and areas that have seceded from Georgia where the exercises will take place does not include areas bordering Ukraine.
30 regular exercises are planned, with the participation of 400 soldiers and 80 weapons systems in each. They will be held in 15 areas of the southern Russian military district, Russian news agencies reported, citing a representative of the regional administration.
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