The Western Military District is preparing for the defensive drills of the Baltic fleet and the Sixth Army, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday, Sputnik reports.
"The drills are purely defensive," Shoigu said.
"The Western strategic area is still facing the most threat for the military security of Russia," the minister said.
In addition, Shoigu also said that over 40 combat ships, vessels and submarines will take part in Russia’s Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg on Navy Day that will be celebrated on July 26 this year.
"We will begin the board meeting with a review of the preparations for holding the Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg scheduled for July 26. The parade will involve 46 combat ships and submarines of all the fleets, including the most advanced vessels that are entering service now," the defense chief said, TASS reports.
The first serial-produced frigate Admiral Kasatonov, the large amphibious assault ship Pyotr Morgunov, the submarine Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and other combat ships will take part in the parade, the defense minister specified.
"As a sign of recognizing the Russian Fleet’s big contribution to the exploration of the World Ocean, two latest hydrographic survey vessels will sail along the Neva River together with combat ships. The oceanic survey vessel Admiral Vladimirsky, which is currently completing a scientific expedition to the Antarctic shores together with the Russian Geographical Society, will anchor in the Kronshtadt roadstead," Shoigu said.
