MOSCOW, October 2. /TASS/. A live-fire exercise against a maritime target was conducted at the Caspian Flotilla during the Center-2026 drills, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"As part of the strategic command-and-staff exercises Center-2026, the crew of the Tatarstan missile ship and the combat crew of the Bal coastal missile system conducted a live-fire exercise against a maritime target," it said.

According to the drills’ scenario, a simulated enemy attempted to seize a section of the coastline and launch an offensive. "To this end, an ‘enemy’ amphibious task force began a troop landing operation, while a naval strike group consisting of three vessels provided fire support with shipboard artillery," the ministry said, adding that large ship-mounted shields served as naval targets and simulated "enemy" strike ships.