KUBINKA (Moscow Region) (Sputnik) – Heightened activity of Russia’s nuclear submarines around the world are due to the necessity to deter security threats aimed at Russia, Naval Commander Viktor Chirkov said Wednesday.
"Heightened intensity of naval service in different regions of the world’s oceans by [Russian] nuclear submarines is justified by the necessity to guarantee the deterrence of security threats against Russia," Chirkov said.
Chirkov added that more attention would be paid to Russia’s nuclear strategic submarines from the Northern and Pacific fleets.
In March, Chirkov said the Russian Navy had doubled its submarine patrols over the previous 15 months to increase state security.
Wednesday's statement came amid strained relations between Russia and the NATO military bloc over the Ukrainian crisis. Following the integration of Crimea, a Black Sea peninsula, into Russia after a referendum in 2014, NATO has increased its military presence close to Russia's borders, accusing Moscow of meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs.
NATO has ramped up its air patrol missions in the region and has sent warships to patrol the Black Sea.
Moscow has repeatedly denied its involvement in the internal Ukrainian crisis, and expressed its concern about increased NATO military activities close Russia's borders.
