Russia's Caspian Flotilla Holds Counterterrorism Drills

The training activities of Russian Caspian Flotilla involved more than 300 military personnel, around 20 surface ships, boats and support vessels, as well as about 10 weapons units and military equipment, according to the statement of the Southern Military District press service.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Over 300 personnel aboard 20 Russian Caspian Flotilla ships carried out counterterrorism exercises in waters near three coastal cities, the Southern Military District said Monday.

"The training activities involved more than 300 military personnel, around 20 surface ships, boats and support vessels, as well as about 10 Caspian Flotilla weapons units and military equipment," the district said.

The exercise script included militants seizing a warship and attempting to gain access to the cities of Astrakhan, Makhachkala and Kaspiysk. A checkpoint unit took up a defensive position and prevented the simulated enemy from breaching the city boundaries.

An alerted counterterrorist unit encircled and destroyed the terrorist group, the Southern Military District added.

During the course of the exercises, military and civilian personnel practiced drills for scenarios where explosive devices are detected at military installations.