Russian Defense Ministry said on Aug 4 the Pacific Fleet has begun large-scale
military exercises in the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and the northwest
Pacific. The drills, intended to test fleet commanders' ability to mass forces
in their areas of responsibility and to handle unconventional operations, will
practice integrated use of high-precision and new weapons systems. Participating
forces include about 60 surface ships, submarines and support vessels, roughly
30 aircraft, helicopters and unmanned systems, and more than 13,000 personnel.
