Black Sea Group ends maneuvers

VARNA, Bulgaria, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The Black Sea Naval Group, an international force including Turkey and Russia, completed 15 days of maneuvers Thursday, officials said.

A spokesman for the Russian Black Sea Fleet said Blackseafor, as the group is known, conducted drills for surface ships, air communication and defense and assisting or inspecting vessels at sea, the RIA Novosti reported.

The exercise is to conclude in Varna, Bulgaria, with reports on the maneuvers.

Blackseafor was established in 2001 and has responsibilities that include environmental inspections and search-and-rescue operations. Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine cooperate in the group.

The group's previous maneuvers were held in April.