Director of the Press Office of the U.S. Department of State Elizabeth Trudeau said the United States expects Russia to fulfill transparency commitments while conducting its Black Sea exercise.
”We expect Russia to fulfill all relevant commitments to provide neighbors with appropriate assurance and transparent information about the size and character of its activities. With all exercises, including these, any activity must be consistent with international law and with due regard for the rights of other nations,” she stated at a daily press briefing in Washington, D.C., on August 11.
According to Russia`s news agency TASS, the Russian Black Sea Fleet is holding drills on August 11-13 to counter underwater saboteurs.
”Assignments will be accomplished to repel an attack by underwater saboteurs from the sea at the Black Sea Fleet`s base,” the Russian Defense Ministry`s press office reported.
The maneuvers, which are part of the program for preparing the Caucasus 2016 exercises, involve over a dozen warships and support vessels, as well as Mil Mi-8 and Kamov Ka-27PS helicopters.
The exercises are being held under the command of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Korolyov.
Sailors are also practicing searching for and removing mines and providing assistance to a distressed ship. Small missile ship Mirazh is being used for this purpose.
”The fleet`s hydrographical service will practice a set of measures to deploy a base of maneuverable navigation reference points and mobile radio navigation systems on the coastline,” the press office said.
