26.05.2011
Text: Black Sea Fleet Information Support Group
Photo: Large landing ship. Black Sea Fleet Information Support Group
Landing, attack, search-and-strike, minesweeping, coastal strike groups and rescue unit have been formed on May 25 within the framework of Russian-Ukrainian naval exercise Fairway of Peace-2011. Large landing ships of Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Nikolai Filchenkov and Ukrainian Konstantin Olshansky took landing party aboard; joint peacekeeping force has been deployed.
Ship groups left basing sites being escorted by minesweepers and conducted self-defense drills while at sea and anchored off the harbor.
Afterwards, a tactical antiaircraft drill was held; two
Su-24 airplanes delivered "strike" at ships of peacekeeping force. Task groups conducted artillery firings at air and sea targets, and antisubmarine drills. Illuminating air bombs dropped by
Be-12 airplanes were used as air targets, towed mockups and floating mine decoys – as sea targets.
Upon termination of combat drills, ships headed for landing force marshaling area.
Land phase of the exercise includes landing operation and deployment of peacekeeping force and will take place in Kazachya Bay on May 26.
