Russia’s Shoigu inspects Northern Fleet, warships despatched to Arctic

AFP / Dmitry Astakhov

Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected distant Arctic garrisons of the Northern Fleet as a detachment of warships was despatched to the Arctic Ocean to carry out duties.

The ministry mentioned on Saturday.

Shoigu inspected the navy infrastructure in addition to “readiness for actions to protect and defend critical facilities”, the ministry mentioned on the Telegram messaging app.

A detachment of warships, together with the destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov, the touchdown ship Alexander Otrakovsky and the rescue tug Altai went to the Arctic, the ministry mentioned.

It was not clear when Shoigu visited the fleet. It began navy coaching on Friday aimed toward understanding actions to guard Russia’s sovereignty within the waters of the Northern Sea Route, the fleet mentioned.

As a part of fight coaching, MiG-31 fighter-interceptors carried out air defence, air reconnaissance and canopy for troops and forces working within the Arctic zone, the ministry mentioned.