Warships and support ships of the Northern Fleet will sail to Novaya Zemlya, Severnaya Zemlya and the New Siberian Islands in the second half of 2016, Vice Admiral and Commander of the Northern Fleet Nikolai Yevmenov said, RIA Novosti reported.

"The crews of ships belonging to the units of the Kola flotilla consisting of diverse forces and units of rocket ships of the Northern Fleet have started preparations for new voyages to the Arctic and other areas of the World Ocean. Warships and support ships of the Northern Fleet will sail to Novaya Zemlya, Severnaya Zemlya and the New Siberian Islands in the second half of 2016," he said.

According to Mr Yevmenov, a voyage on the Northern Sea Route will include a series of rescue exercises, including assistance to ships in distress in the Arctic, sea rescue operations and responses to various crisis situations typical for this region and their consequences.

Exercises to protect Russia's Arctic island zone and sea coast will be continued near the New Siberian Islands.