July 30 (Reuters) - The Russian navy started planned

exercises involving most of its fleet as well as 20,000

personnel and 300 ships, Russian news agencies reported on

Tuesday, citing the defence ministry.

The drills are to test the navy's military command bodies of

three fleets as well as the Caspian Flotilla, TASS news agency

reported. Russia's Navy comprises of four fleets, the Caspian

flotilla and several task forces.

The Northern Fleet in Russia's Arctic, the Pacific Fleet in

the Pacific Ocean, the Baltic Fleet in the Baltic Sea as well as

the Caspian Flotilla in the Caspian Sea will participate in the

drills, TASS reported.

About 300 surface ships and boats, submarines and support

vessels, some 50 aircraft and more than 200 units of military

and special equipment will be involved in the combat training,

TASS reported.

Since launching an invasion on Ukraine in February 2022,

Russia has conducted numerous military exercises on its own or

with other countries, including China or South Africa.

In the past two months, Russia has also conducted a series

of mobile nuclear missile launcher drills and tactical nuclear

weapons deployment exercises. It has also increased military

training with Belarus, which borders both Russia and Ukraine,

conducting a series of comprehensive drills.