Russia set for first post-Soviet military drill in Med.

By Ali Cura

MOSCOW

Russian Navy and Air Forces will hold their first-ever post-Soviet military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea on Sept. 1-8, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Korolev announced Friday.

"In the period from 1 to 8 September this year, a group of Russian Navy and Air Forces will hold the first drill in the modern history of Russia in the Mediterranean Sea," Korolev said.

Two submarines, 26 vessels from the Northern Fleet, Baltic Fleet, Caspian Flotilla and the Black Sea Fleet as well as 34 planes and helicopters of Russian Air Forces will take part in the exercises, he said, adding that Soviet-era "Marshal Ustinov" cruiser, which went through refitting and modernization, will lead the naval group.

The drill will also feature Air Forces' Tu-160 strategic missile carriers, Tu-142 and Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft, as well as SU-33 fighters and SU-30sm naval aircraft, Korolev said.

Russia guarantees strict appliance with the international rules in order to ensure safe navigation and flights in the Mediterranean during the drill, the commander-in-chief said.

"After the exercise, the forces will return to their permanent bases," Korolev said.

According to a map revealed by the Russian Defense Ministry, the war games will be held in 11 areas mainly in the eastern Mediterranean.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has said the Russian exercises in the Mediterranean had nothing to do with the situation in Idlib, Syria.

"I do not think the exercises may be related to Idlib. I heard the drill was in the plan. In any case, Idlib is not in the Mediterranean region," he said.

Reporting by Ali Cura:Writing by Elena Teslova