In June-October 2017, a comprehensive exercise on defensive Arctic operations was held in the Barents Sea, Vice Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, Commander of the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet, told members of the Fleet's Military Council.

Interfax quotes Admiral Yevmenov as saying: "Warships, submarines and coastal systems launched about 20 cruise missiles during the exercise."

"The Northern Fleet's service personnel accomplished all tasks aiming to defend islands and coastal sectors of the Russian Federation's Arctic zone and maintained safe navigation along the Northern Sea Route," he said. Surface-to-air missiles were also launched, with fighter pilots intercepting and destroying aerial "enemy" targets, Admiral Yevmenov said.