Russia to closely monitor Alaskan drills

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, March 5 (UPI) -- The Russian military will be closely monitoring scheduled U.S. naval drills off the coast of Alaska, a military official said Thursday.

An unidentified spokeswoman for the submarine force of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet said due to the location of the drills involving nuclear-powered submarines, Russia will undoubtedly be keeping close tabs on the military maneuvers, RIA Novosti said.

"Any action by foreign submarines in the vicinity of Russia's maritime borders naturally demand heightened scrutiny on our part, especially in the light of an accident involving a British submarine during a previous exercise," the U.S. official said.

Two Los Angeles class attack submarines have already departed for the Alaskan coast for the ICEX-2009 exercises.

The naval drills were organized to test U.S. submarine tactics in regards to Arctic conditions, RIA Novosti said.

An unidentified Russian official told the press agency his country would be monitoring the nearly two-week long military efforts to ensure border stability.

"Our primary goal is to monitor our territorial waters to prevent the violation of Russia's maritime border," the official said.