Russian Northern Fleet ships return to base due to bad weather

MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - Bad weather has forced Russia's Northern Fleet to adjust its combat training plans and return its surface ships from training ranges to the base.

"All small-sized watercraft as well as small-displacement ships and vessels have been banned from leaving their bases due to strong wind and dangerous waves. A storm alert has been issued across the Fleet. All surface ships have been returned to bases from sea combat-training ranges," the Fleet stated on Monday.

"Due to complicated hydro-meteorological conditions in the Barents Sea and in parts of the Kola Peninsula, the Northern Fleet has adjusted combat training plans for its troops and forces, primarily the crews of the combat ships at sea.

"Our naval infantry and army corps units and the air defense troops proceed with combat training as planned, taking account of the actual weather at the bases and the training areas.

"Aircrews are honing their skills on simulators. At some airfields, practice flights are carried out after an additional assessment of meteorological conditions, as per safety requirements."