Russian ships to hold joint drills in MediterraneanDecember 25, 2012 - 20:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The presence of naval ships from all of Russia’s four fleets in the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Aden is part of planned combined naval drills in this strategically important region for Russia, a high-ranking official of the Russian General Staff said Tuesday, December 25, according to Russian media. Groups of ships from Russia’s Northern, Pacific, Baltic and Black Sea fleets will conduct anti-aircraft, anti-surface ship and anti-submarine warfare exercises with planned calling at foreign ports, including Tartus in Syria, he said. On Monday, Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov dismissed allegations by some media that Russian ships were carrying special task units and air defense missile operators to Syria. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |