Russia starts military drills in Kaliningrad Region simultaneously with NATO’s maneuvers

Russia has started military exercises of the Baltic Fleet, Airborne Troops and Air Force in the Kaliningrad Region, Russia’s exclave on the Baltic Sea coast, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday. 

The maneuvers are being held under the command of the Western Military District troops commander.
“The drills are taking place simultaneously with the international drills Saber Strike 2014 and BALTOPS 2014 that kicked off in Europe,” the ministry told Itar-Tass.

“The number the Russian Defense Ministry’s troops and equipment involved is equatable with the number of personnel, armaments and military hardware employed in border exercises being conducted by NATO countries,” it said.

Russian maneuvers involve vessel groups, Airborne Troops and Marine Corps units, Air Force formations, Sukhoi Su-34 (Fullback) fighter-bombers, Mil Mi-24 (Hind) helicopters and Tupolev Tu-22M3 (Backfire) bombers, the ministry said.

NATO drills Saber Strike 2014 take place on the territory of three Baltic states (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) on June 9-20, and BALTOPS 2014 in the Baltic Sea from June 6 to 21
MOSCOW, June 10 /ITAR-TASS
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