Russian small antisubmarine ships have entered the Pacific for combat duty missions, Pacific Fleet spokesman Roman Martov said on Wednesday.

‘Small antisubmarine ships from a formation for the protection of the water area of troops and forces in northeast Russia have set off for combat duty in the designated parts of the Pacific Ocean as part of an antisubmarine striking force," the officer said.

The naval task force will carry out patrol missions and demonstrate the Russian flag and will also hold antisubmarine exercises, the Pacific Fleet spokesman said.

"The small antisubmarine ships MPK-82 and MPK-107 earlier searched for imaginary enemy force’s submarines in Avachinsky Bay and the Sea of Okhotsk as part of a combat readiness check for the Pacific Fleet troops and forces," the spokesman said.