11.   The Russian fishing fleet is currently facing grave economic problems with many boats locked in harbour because of fuel shortages or bankruptcies.

12.   The Russian fleet has reported a number of sightings of unidentified submarines near its territorial waters in recent weeks, particularly in the Arctic.

13.   The test was a prelude to large-scale military manoeuvres by the Russian northern fleet in the Barents Sea, ITAR TASS news agency reported.

14.   The commander of the Russian naval fleet in the Black Sea has criticised the presence of NATO ships in remarks published Tuesday in a Bulgarian newspaper.