Russian Defence Minister to observe exercises on the Pacific

Russian defence minister Sergei Ivanov will fly on Friday to Vladivostok to observe the third stage of the command-staff exercises (CSE) of the Pacific fleet.

He is expected to attend the tactical and special exercises for prevention of acts of terror, the field firing exercises and the amphibious assault landing. The minister will also observe the detainment of a vessel engaged in the illegal activity in Russian territorial waters, and also a rescue operation at sea, liquidation of consequences of the ecological disaster and a number of other exercises.

A total of 24 types of exercises are planned to be conducted at the CSE third stage, which will last till August 27 (10 - in Primorye, 7 - in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, and 7 - in Kamchatka area.) According to Sergei Ivanov, about 70,000 servicemen and civil specialists, 58 ships and boats, 31 support vessels and 69 planes and helicopters are taking part in the manoeuvres.

Combat ships of the Republic of Korea and Japan as well a ship of the US coastal guard participate in some episodes of the exercises.

Sergei Ivanov stressed that there has been no exercises of this scale in Russia over the last 15 years.