Russian fleet and air force stage biggest naval exercise off France since Soviet era

RUSSIAN warships, including an aircraft carrier group, took part in military manoeuvres off the Atlantic coast of France and Spain yesterday in what Moscow billed as its biggest navy exercise in the area since Soviet times.

Russia sent two long-range "Blackjack" bombers to the Bay of Biscay to carry out a simulated electronic test-firing of cruise missiles, while anti-submarine aircraft patrolled the area.

The exercise, off the coast of two Nato alliance members, is the latest Kremlin demonstration of resurgent military muscle on the world stage and likely to appeal to voters choosing a successor to the president, Vladimir Putin, in March.

Mr Putin, expected to retain considerable influence in the country on stepping down after a maximum second term, has done much to rebuild military forces depleted after the collapse of communism.

For years, commanders had complained ships could not put to sea and warplanes could not fly because of fuel and parts shortages.

Russia's air force said British and Norwegian Tornado and F-16 jets shadowed the Russian aircraft. France said it had been informed about the exercises.