The Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm. Vladimir Korolev announced that Russia’s Navy and Aerospace Forces will hold joint large-scale naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea as from today 1st September, till the 8th.
The military drills in the Mediterranean will involve 26 warships and submarines, as well as 34 combat aircraft,
According to the admiral, the naval drills will also involve Tu-160 strategic bombers, Tu-142 and Il-38 anti-submarine warfare planes, as well as Su-33 and Su-30SM fighter jets.
Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm. Vladimir Korolev also warned that the area of the naval drills in the Mediterranean has been declared temporarily dangerous for regular navigation and air traffic.
“In order to strictly observe the norms of international law, as well as to ensure the safety of navigation and aircraft flights, the training areas have in advance been declared temporarily dangerous for navigation and air traffic,” Korolev said at a briefing.
The drills were announced after NATO reported a Russian naval buildup in the Mediterranean.
Russia has provided crucial military support for Syrian government forces, which are expected to mount an offensive in the northern Idlib province, the last major rebel stronghold in the country.
