Russia Northern Fleet Warships Hit All Air Targets During Drills

Russian Navy destroyers Admiral Ushakov and Vice-Admiral Kulakov held successful weapons training exercises against fictional air threats during drills in the Barents Sea, Russia's Northern Fleet press service head said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The command post drills, involving warships and submarines, commenced in northwestern Russia on Monday. The exercises involve nuclear- and diesel-powered submarines, coastal missile and artillery units, naval aviation forces from the Northern Fleet, and logistical assistance.

"Combat exercises have been carried out by the gun crews of AK-130 universal caliber automatic cannon of the Admiral Ushakov destroyer, of AK-100 installed on Vice-Admiral Kulakov and the AK-630 small-caliber anti-aircraft artillery from both ships," Capt. 1st Rank Vadim Serga said.

He added that all the Progress cruise missiles (NATO reporting name SS-N-3 Shaddock), used as the targets, were hit successfully by naval artillery.

Fourteen warships, four submarines and 10 support vessels are participating in the drill while naval aviation of the Northern Fleet will carry out 20 missions using four types of aircrafts. The drills will continue until the end of the week.