MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A tactical group of Russian Black Sea warships is holding military exercises targeting decoy “enemy” bombers and ships, Black Sea Fleet information support head Capt. 1st Class Vyacheslav Trukhachyov said Thursday.
“A Bora-class air-cushioned ship, as well as Ivanovets-class cutters and [other auxiliary ships] have conducted marine battles using rockets and live-fire artillery against target positions imitating marine targets,” Capt. 1st Class Trukhachyov told journalists.
He said the crews of the warships would soon hold naval exercises using anti-air defense systems employing target exercises against decoy “enemy” bombers in the region.
An Su-24 Fencer fighter bomber from the Black Sea Fleet will face off with ships and Be-12 Mail amphibious aircraft will release air targets for the warships, he said.
The current Russian military drills are taking place concurrently with NATO naval drills in the Black Sea.
On March 4, six NATO warships, including Turkish, Bulgarian and Romanian vessels, arrived to the Black Sea to start joint drills, according to NATO Maritime Command.
The joint NATO exercise, led by US Rear Adm. Brad Williamson, includes simulated anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills, small boat attacks and ship-handling maneuvers.
NATO has been boosting its military presence close to the Russian border after Crimea broke away from Ukraine to join Russia March 2014.
Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern over NATO expansion toward its eastern borders.
