Russia has put its entire Pacific fleet on combat alert in an unannounced review involving the disputed Kuril Islands, amid massive tensions with the West.
"In an accompanying troop exercise, soldiers will practice defense against an enemy attempt to land on the southern Kuril Islands and Sakhalin Island," Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov said that "the exercise will take place in three stages, from the mobilization of troops to the launch of ships and the simulation of combat operations".
The flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet is the Varyag missile cruiser. It will be accompanied by three frigates and about 60 smaller warships and landing craft, as well as about 20 submarines, including nuclear submarines.
The drills come amid heightened tension in the Asia-Pacific region as the United States and South Korea conduct joint air drills following an intercontinental ballistic missile test by North Korea, the Telegraph writes.
"The main objective of this inspection is to increase the ability of the Armed Forces to repel the aggression of a potential enemy from the direction of the ocean and the sea," Shoigu said on state television.