Russia starts major naval drills with most of its fleet

Russia's navy began planned exercises involving most of its fleet in the Arctic and Pacific oceans as well as the Baltic and Caspian seas, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The drills, which include 20,000 personnel members and 300 ships, will test the readiness and capabilities of the navy at all levels, the ministry said.

The drills will include more than 300 combat exercises, including practicing the use of anti-aircraft missiles, artillery, anti-submarine weapons and "passive interference", it added.

"Units and formations of the Russian Navy have begun conducting planned exercises in the operational zones of the Northern, Pacific and Baltic Fleets, as well as in the area of responsibility of the Caspian Flotilla," the ministry said.

"The main purpose of the exercises is to check the actions of the military authorities of the navy at all levels, as well as the readiness of the crews of ships, units of naval aviation and coastal troops of the Russian navy to perform tasks."

About 300 ships and boats, submarines and support vessels, some 50 aircraft and more than 200 units of military and special equipment will be involved in the combat training, the ministry said.

Since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has conducted numerous military exercises on its own or with other countries, while the Black Sea fleet — the only Russian fleet formation not taking part in the drills — has struggled to adapt to dynamic modern drone warfare and the chief of the navy was replaced earlier this year.

At the Russian Navy Day celebrations on Sunday, President Vladimir Putin warned the United States that if Washington deployed longer-range missiles in Germany then Russia would station similar missiles in striking distance of the West.

The military exercises are planned as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow in July, and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said on Tuesday that he expects word soon that India is becoming more engaged with Ukraine.

The US State Department has raised concerns over India's relationship with Russia.

"I think we're likely to hear news of India engaging more directly in Ukraine. … I think India wants to play a responsible role globally," Campbell said.

Separately, Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarak said on Tuesday that the country guarantees oil transit for companies that are not subject to sanctions and is ready to resolve transit issues with Slovakia in line with a European Union association agreement.

Ukraine in late June imposed sanctions against Russia's energy giant Lukoil, one of the largest Russian oil companies, banning it from any activity on Ukrainian territory and stopping its oil supplies to Slovak and Hungarian refineries.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Monday his country would halt diesel supplies to Ukraine unless Kyiv restores oil flows from Lukoil.