Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out on Monday that the first stage of a surprise inspection of Russia's Pacific Fleet was held at a very high level.

Putin held a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss the surprise inspection of Russia's Pacific Fleet that started last Friday.

"The first stage was indeed held suddenly, at a very high level. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who organized this work," the Russian President said at the meeting.

Putin also asked Shoigu to pay attention to the development and preparation of surprise inspections both in the Pacific Fleet and in other fleets.

"I ask you, of course, to continue this work, to pay attention also to the development and preparation of similar events in other fleets," he told the Defense Minister.

Putin says Ukrainian direction main priority for use of Russian Armed Forces

The Russian President indicated that Russia has clear priorities for the use of its armed forces, primarily, in the Ukrainian direction.

"It is obvious to us that today we have clear priorities for the use of the armed forces, and above all, this concerns the Ukrainian direction and everything related to the protection of our people in the Donbas region, in other new territories," Putin said.

At the same time, he noted that no one canceled the tasks of developing the fleet.

"Separate components of the forces of the fleet, of course, can be used in conflicts in any direction. So I ask you to keep that in mind as well," he added.

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Shoigu briefs Putin on progress of sudden inspection

On his part, Shoigu briefed Putin on the progress of the surprise inspection of the Pacific fleet, affirming that the troops participating in the event are in full combat readiness.

"As for the sudden inspection, in accordance with your decision, a sudden inspection of the Pacific Fleet has been carried out since April 14," the Defense Minister told Putin.

"Over 25,000 military personnel, 167 warships and support vessels, including 12 submarines, 89 aircraft and helicopters, have been involved in it," he highlighted.

Shoigu underlined that the forces and troops participating in the inspection are put on "full combat readiness," adding that with the established restrictions, they began to carry out combat training tasks, control firing, and tactical exercises. 

According to the Russian Defense Minister, the final stage of the surprise inspection of Russia's Pacific Fleet, during which ships will work out missile strikes with electronic launches, will begin on April 18.

"Starting April 18, we will begin the final stage of the inspection, during which naval strike groups, together with coastal missile divisions, will work out the tasks of delivering missile strikes with electronic launches," Shoigu said.

Elsewhere, Shoigu added that the fleet forces will also work out the search for and destruction of enemy submarines and naval groupings, and conduct practical artillery firing at air and sea targets.

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