Russia starts navy drills in the Barents Sea, reports Interfax

The Arctic exercises are part of broader drills that include Russian forces near the border with Ukraine.

By Reuters February 16, 2022
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Russian Navy’s guided missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov takes part in the drills in the Barents Sea, Russia, in this still image taken from video released on January 26, 2022. (Russian Defense Ministry / Handout via Reuters)

MOSCOW — More than 20 ships from Russia’s Northern fleet have started drills in the Barents Sea, the Interfax news agency cited the fleet as saying on Tuesday.

The exercises in the Arctic waters between Russia and Norway are part of broader drills which have prompted fears that Moscow may invade Ukraine. Russia denies such plans.

[Norway adds troops to NATO force in Lithuania, sees no spillover risk in Arctic]

Russian markets rose strongly on Tuesday on reports that some Russian units were pulling back from areas adjacent to the Ukrainian borders.

Reporting by Anton Kolodyazhnyy; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov.