MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian Black Sea Fleet is capable of engaging a potential enemy while advancing from its bases, the Russian Defense Ministry’s head of General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, said Wednesday.
"The Black Sea Fleet now has everything needed to do so: intelligence tools that detect targets at ranges up to 500 kilometers [310 miles] and weapons. The Bastion coastal missile complex alone extends 350 kilometers [217 miles] up to and including the Bosphorous," Gerasimov told reporters.
11 September 2016, 01:59 GMT
He added that the fleet's submarines armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, naval aviation, as well as strategic and tactical aircraft would prevent a potential enemy’s landing troops "from reaching the Black Sea coast of Crimea wherever it comes from."
"The Black Sea Fleet should be able to – and it has demonstrated its ability to – independently engage a landing force while advancing, starting from the loading ports," Gerasimov stressed.
