Norwegian and Russian search and rescue services and coast guards have conducted a joint exercise, Barents 2015. They rehearsed joint rescue operations for people in distress at sea and for cleaning up an oil spill, the Arktika-Info news agency reports.

Russian Northern Fleet and Border Guard aircraft and a Russian rescue tug boat and Norwegian coastguard vessels and rescue helicopters were involved in the drills.

The exercises were directed by the sea rescue and coordination center of the Murmansk seaport administration.

Annual drills are held in June in Varangerfjord both on the Norwegian and Russian side of the border.