MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Troops of the Russian Pacific Fleet have successfully conducted missile launches from the Bal coastal missile system in the Sea of Japan as part of a military training exercise, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry’s Eastern Military District said Thursday.
"The military missile brigade of the Pacific Fleet Coastal Troops conducted successful live firing of the Bal coastal missile complex in the Sea of Japan," Col. Alexander Gordeyev said.
The missiles reached the targeted salvage vessel, anchored 51 miles from the coast, the colonel said.
The Pacific Fleet, based in Russia's Far East region, is one of five Russian fleets. A recent Russian Maritime Doctrine amendment lists the Pacific region as an area of increased strategic importance to Russia.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russia will hold at least 4,000 military drills throughout 2015.
