Warships from Russia's Northern Fleet have carried out cruise missile firing exercises during the final stage of the ongoing naval drills in the Barents Sea, Russian Northern Fleet press service head Vadim Serga said Sunday.

"During today's final stage of Northern Fleet forces exercises, the Pyotr Velikiy heavy nuclear missile cruiser and a project 949A Antey cruise missile submarine have carried out combat firing exercises with underwater-launched cruise missiles," Serga was quoted as saying by the Sputnik news agency.

Granit naval anti-ship cruise missiles were used in the exercise, Serga said, adding that complex simulated enemy targets were hit near the Arctic Novaya Zemlya archipelago coast.

The area was closed to shipping ahead of the exercise, said Serga.

Northern Fleet drills kicked off on Sept. 20, involving 12 warships, as well as submarines, 10 supply vessels, air force and naval aircraft.

Source : XINHUA