Russian naval task force arrives in Venezuela for joint wargames

Moscow, Nov 25 (UNI) A task force from Russia's Northern Fleet led by the Pyotr Veliky missile cruiser arrived in Venezuela as part of a planned visit which will see the ships take part in joint naval wargames.

''On December 1 following the visit, the Russian warships will take part in joint naval exercises with the Venezuelan Navy,'' Russian Navy's spokesman Capt 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said today.

Capt Dygalo said the exercises would take place in the Caribbean Sea and would involve joint maneuvers, inspections, rescue and resupply operations.

The joint exercises are due to be discussed by both sides during the Russian Navy's visit to the Venezuelan port of La Guaira.

''Venezuela's Navy will be represented by two or three ships.

Two warships will act for the Russian side - the Pyotr Veliky and the large anti-submarine vessel Admiral Chabanenko - as well as support ships,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted Capt Dygalo as saying.

The task force left its Northern Fleet base on September 22 and has visited ports in Libya, Turkey and France.

The arrival of the Russian ships coincides with a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Venezuela on November 26-27.

Following the Latin American visit, the task force is due to take part in drills with ships from Russia's Pacific Fleet in the Indian Ocean.

UNI XC SKB KP1833