The Ministry explained that the squadron belonging to the Baltic Fleet includes large landing ships, corvettes, missile launchers and antisubmarine ships, minesweepers, fast boats and submarines, which left their usual bases to join the strategic exercise.

The Ministry pointed out that according to the training planned as part of the Zapad 2021 maneuvers, organized by Russia and Belarus, the ships will carry out antisubmarine and air defense drills, and drill in support duties in mined areas.

Rockets and artillery shells will also be fired at maritime and air ‘targets’, the TASS news agency said.

The drills take place every two years and constitute the final stage of the joint training of the armed forces of the two countries in 2021.

The Zapad 2021 exercise began on Friday and will last until September 16th in nine polygons located in Russia, on the Baltic Sea, as well as in five polygons of the Belarusian armed forces.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the exercises will involve about 200,000 troops, about 80 airplanes and helicopters, up to 760 land units, including 290 tanks, multiple launch rocket systems, among others.

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