SEVEROMORSK, October 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived on board the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier Saturday to observe military exercises in the Barents Sea.
Medvedev was transported to the ship by helicopter along with Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and Navy Commander Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky. They were greeted by Northern Fleet Commander Nikolai Maksimov.
The Northern Fleet is taking part in the large-scale Stability-2008 exercises with Belarus. They started in September and will run until October 21.
The Barents Sea portion of the drills involves more than 5,000 military personnel, eight surface ships and five submarines.
The exercises test Russia's strategic and regional deterrent and the structures of the Northern Fleet, particularly in relation to the naval strategic nuclear forces.
