27 Feb 2014 15:26

Russian Navy beefing up strength in Barents, Baltic Seas as part of operability test - Defense Ministry

MOSCOW. Feb 27 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's Northern and Baltic Fleets are beefing up their operational strength in the Barents and Baltic Seas as part of a surprise operability test that was announced in Russia's armed forces on Wednesday, the Defense Ministry reported in a statement on Thursday.

"About 80 surface vessels, submarines and support ships of the Russian Navy have left their permanent bases and started the deployment phase in the designated areas of the sea ranges in the Barents and Baltic Seas. Several groups of all-arms naval forces have been put together at the moment," it said.