Russian Navy minesweepers support main forces during combat readiness check

: Posted On Wednesday, 10 February 2016 11:29

Naval Defense News - Russia

Russian Navy minesweepers support main forces during combat readiness check

Mine-sweeping groups of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla have launched operations to provide mine countermeasures support for main forces in a combat readiness check, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press office said on Tuesday.

Natya I class Seagoing Minesweeper Kovrovets (hull number 913) of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's 418th Minesweeper Division
Picture via bastion-karpenko.ru

The mine-sweeping groups are tasked to support main forces along their route from their bases to the assigned deployment areas in the Black and the Caspian Seas, the press office added.

"The mine-sweeping groups from mine-sweeper large units, search and attack groups of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla have started providing safe navigation in the Black and the Caspian Seas as part of the combat readiness check of the Southern Military District forces," the press office said.

According to the press office, "the mine-sweeping groups are practicing searching for mines, mine-laying operations and interacting with naval aircraft. They are also practicing searching for and sweeping mines with the use of electromagnetic, acoustic and contact mine sweeps."

The mine-sweeping groups are providing safe navigation for task forces, search and attack groups in channels along the route of their passage from their permanent bases to the areas of maneuvers.

Search and attack groups are practicing searching for and identifying a simulated enemy’s submarines. Support vessels have been readied to provide logistical support for the forces involved in the maneuvers.