Russian-Ukrainian war game Fairway of Peace 2010 starts in Sevastopol

22.06.2010 Russian-Ukrainian headquarters exercise Fairway of Peace 2010 started on June 21 in Sevastopol.

The exercise is held at Ukrainian Naval Academy; its subject is planning and conducting search-and-rescue operation during peacekeeping activities in crisis region.

Representatives of Ukrainian Navy and Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) are participating in the 4-day exercise which will be finished on June 24.

Russian-Ukrainian headquarters exercise Fairway of Peace 2010 is conducted under command of Rear Admiral Viktor Nosenko, Ukrainian Navy Deputy Commander for combat training.

Deputy director of the exercise is Capt 1 rank Alexander Chesnokov, BSF Director of Combat Training Department.

According to Rear Admiral Viktor Nosenko, as far back as 2003 the then Navy Commander and current Ukrainian defense minister Mikhail Yezhel outlined the necessity to conduct annual joint exercises.

"That is why naval command will propose to Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to conduct the Russian-Ukrainian exercise once a year involving warships, aviation, and marines", said Viktor Nosenko at solemn opening ceremony.

In his turn, Capt 1 rank Alexander Chesnokov added that participants of Fairway of Peace 2010 should combine Ukraine's positive experience in international virtual exercises with Russia's practical experience in combat training at sea and at ranges.

It should be reminded that Russian-Ukrainian exercise Fairway of Peace had been traditionally conducted since 1997 till 2003 once in two years and had a peacekeeping character. Warships, auxiliary vessels, aircrafts, helicopters, and marine units had been taking part in the exercise.

This year the exercise will be conducted without ships, military units, and warlike equipment.