Russian Northern Fleet Warships Fire Cruise Missiles in Barents Sea

Russian warships including the Pyotr Velikiy heavy nuclear missile cruiser carried out firing exercises in the Barents Sea.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Warships from Russia's Northern Fleet have carried out cruise missile firing exercises during the final stage of the ongoing naval drills in the Barents Sea, Northern Fleet press service head Vadim Serga said Sunday.

"During today's final stage of Northern Fleet forces exercises, the Pyotr Veliky heavy nuclear missile cruiser and a project 949A Antey cruise missile submarine have carried out combat firing exercises with underwater-launched cruise missiles," Serga said.

The Pyotr Veliky is a Kirov-class battle cruiser and is capable of providing air defense and anti-submarine defense. It has a displacement of 25,300 metric tons and a crew of over 700.

Granit naval anti-ship cruise missiles were used in the exercise, Serga said, adding that complex simulated enemy targets were hit near the Arctic Novaya Zemlya archipelago coast.

The area was closed for shipping ahead of the exercise. Over 10 vessels kept watch of the perimeter, according to Serga.

Northern Fleet drills kicked off on September 20 and involve 12 warships, as well as submarines, 10 supply vessels, air force and naval aviation. The drills include missile, anti-aircraft and artillery firing.