(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-21 22:44

Moscow -- Russian naval ships launched exercises in the northern Atlantic on Monday in the navy's first large-scale Atlantic drill in 15 years, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

The three-day operation is being conducted by ships of the Northern and Black Sea fleets, said naval spokesman Igor Drygalo.

The flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva cruiser, joined naval warships in the Mediterranean on Friday to participate in the maneuvers.

Moskva will launch Fort missiles capable of destroying high-speed ballistic targets at high altitudes.

The task force includes aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, two destroyers, Admiral Levchenko and Admiral Chabanenko, and two supply ships.

All the combat vessels and aircraft involved are carrying full loads of combat ammunition, the naval official said.

Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said earlier Russia was resuming its naval presence in key operational areas of the world's oceans.