Putin shows military might as Russian warship 'destroys enemy submarine' in Mediterranean

Three Black Sea frigates were deployed to the intercontinental waters to seek and “destroy” a notional “enemy” vessel as part of a naval drill. The mission saw three warships – Admiral Grigorovich, Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen practice tactical techniques of detecting and continuously chasing the submarine. During the aggressive drill, the crew “notionally” employed “torpedo weapons and rocket-propelled bombs” on the target.

The vessels were also joined on the mission by a war helicopter which provided support for the ships as they engaged.

The Russian ships were armed with eight Kalibr-NK cruise missiles which can strike surface, coastal and underwater targets of up to 1,600 miles away.

An AK-630M air defence missile, A-190 100mm universal artillery guns, torpedo tubes and RBU-6000 rocket launchers also form part of the ships arsenal of weapons.

A statement from the Fleet’s press office read: “The Black Sea Fleet’s surface action group comprising the frigates Admiral Grigorovich, Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen held drills in the Mediterranean Sea to search for and destroy a notional enemy’s submarine.

“The frigates’ crews are currently accomplishing missions as part of the Navy’s permanent taskforce in the distant maritime zone.

“As a result of joint operations by the crews of the frigates and the helicopter, the chase of the submarine ended with its notional destruction.”

The latest drill comes as the Russian Military step up the number of exercises it is conducting in international waters.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg noted a “significant Russian naval presence” in the North Sea and a large military exercise in late March.

The NATO chief insisted he had been reassured by the Russian Military that the drills formed part of an exercise to combat COVID-19.

READ MORE: MoD insider warns coronavirus threatening new Cold War 

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered help in the battle against coronavirus following a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Monday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Trump gratefully accepted this humanitarian aid.”

In the US there are more than 187,000 cases of coronavirus – more than any country on Earth and nearly 3,900 deaths.

In Russia, there have been 2,337 confirmed cases with 17 deaths.