Russians start maneuvers in Mediterranean

moscow - The Russian navy and air force will hold large-scale maneuvers in the Mediterranean from this weekend until 8 September. There are 26 naval vessels participating, under the command of naval commander Vladimir Korolev. Flagship in this exercise is the cruiser Oestinov, reported news agency Sputnik. The participants mainly practice in the hunt for submarines and the defense against air attacks.

In the air, strategic bombers of the type (Tupolev) Tu-160, Tu-142 fighter planes against submarines and (Sukhoi) Su-33 fighter planes are active. The Russian government has stressed that the maneuvers have nothing to do with the civil war in Syria. Moscow would like to quickly clear up the last strongholds of Sunni extremists and insurgents against President Assad's regime.