Russian military exercises begin on Europe's doorstep

   (Ukraine Today) --- More than 10 crews will participate in drills in the Baltic Sea off Kaliningrad

   Russia has begun naval and aviation military exercises involving live fire, here, in the exclave of Kaliningrad, bordering on EU members Lithuania and Poland. More than 10 crews of transport and combat helicopters including Mi-24 and Mi-8's like these are participating.

   In an online statement, Russia's Defence Ministry said:

   "In carrying out the tasks, pilots will practice simple and complex elements of piloting under the circumstances of aerial combat, acting within units while carrying out joint maneuvers and in approaching targets, (along with) the issues of supporting naval battle groups and units of coastal defense troops of the Baltic fleet with fire."