NATO Attempts Intelligence Gathering During Russian Exercises

NATO frigates have attempted to conduct intelligence operations on Russian vessels during exercises in the Mediterranean Sea, an informed source told RIA Novosti.

"NATO frigates attempted to carry out electronic and radio reconnaissance on Russian ships yesterday in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, during planned drills conducted by the Russian Navy group," the agency's source reported.

The naval exercises in the Mediterranean involve 15 combat ships from the Pacific, Northern, and Black Sea fleets, including the missile cruisers 'Varyag' and 'Marshal Ustinov', the frigates 'Admiral Kasatonov' and 'Admiral Grigorovich', as well as the 'Admiral Tributs' and 'Deputy Admiral Kulakov' vessels. More than 30 aircraft from Russia are also participating in the exercises.

One of the objectives is to conduct training combat maneuvers involving Russian ships and aircraft aimed at striking simulated enemy naval formations.