BALTIC FLEET SHIP TO TAKE PART IN INT'L EXERCISES

KALININGRAD, June 5 (Itar-Tass) -The patrol ship Neustrashimy and the landing ship Kaliningrad of the Baltic Fleet leave their base in Baltiisk on Thursday for joining Baltops 2008 exercises in the Baltic Sea.

An aide to the Baltic Fleet's commander, Captain Yuri Kuroyedov, told ITAR-TASS that the ships would call at the Polish port of Gdynia, where all participants in the maneuvers will muster.

The Partnership for Peace exercises will involve ships and aviation of Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, the US, Finland, Britain, the Netherlands and Russia.

The active phase of the exercises is planned for June 9-20.

It will include live fire practices, maneuvering of ship groups, the search and "destruction" of a foe submarine, an inspection of a token intruder ship and the struggle against terrorism in the Baltic Sea.

The international naval exercises Baltops are held for the 36th time.

The Russian Navy, which is traditionally represented by ships of the Baltic Fleet, will take part in the exercises for the 15th time.

The Kaliningrad carries marines, who will take part in the jointexercises with their Dane colleagues on the Bornholm Island.

The Neustrashimy carries a Ka-27 PS helicopter that will make several flights during the exercises.

Results of the maneuvers will be summed up in the German city of Kiel.