The World : Soviet Sea Exercise Ending

The Soviet Union has apparently completed a naval exercise in waters to the north of Japan that was among the largest conducted by its Pacific Fleet in recent years, Pentagon officials said. The officials said the largest ships observed during the weeklong exercise appeared to be sailing for ports on the eastern Siberian coast. The maneuvers, disclosed by Pentagon officials Aug. 12, involved more than 15 surface warships and at least 15 submarines, the officials said. Among the participating ships was the aircraft carrier Minsk, one of the largest vessels in the Soviet navy, and the cruiser Frunze.