Major naval infantry drill starts in Russia's Far East

MOSCOW, April 6 (RIA Novosti) - Large-scale military exercises involving naval infantry and live artillery support have been launched in Russia's Far East, the Pacific Fleet press service said on Monday.

It said 300 personnel were involved in the initial stage of the exercise which would later be increased to 1,000.

"Marine infantry units will rehearse defense action to counter the landing of an enemy amphibious assault force with the use of all artillery systems available to them (the Akatsia self-propelled howitzer, the Gvozdika and Fialka self-propelled artillery guns, and the Tyulpan self-propelled mortar)," the press service said.

It added that the exercises were challenging, "realistic" and involved "extreme" conditions.

After they have practiced defense missions, the naval infantry units will rehearse offensive operations, the press service said.