The Russian Navy considers intensive combat training and continuing its presence in the world's oceans a priority, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

To accomplish these goals, Russian warships will take part in a number of large-scale naval drills, continue patrols of pirate-infested waters off the Somali coast and make about 50 port calls in foreign countries in the second half of 2010.

"The Russian warships will continue regular patrols in the Gulf of Aden and around the Horn of Africa to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the area and will participate in a number of international naval drills," the official said.

The Black Sea Fleet will resume joint biennial drills with the Ukrainian Navy and take part in Blackseafor operations in the Black Sea.

However, the main event of the upcoming training period will be the Vostok 2010 strategic exercises in Russia's Siberia and Far East in June-July.

The Russian Navy has sent its most powerful warships - the Moskva and the Varyag missile cruisers and the Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered missile cruiser - to take part in these drills.

The land drills as part of the Vostok 2010 exercises will involve units from the Far Eastern, Siberian and Volga-Urals military districts.

MOSCOW, June 1 (RIA Novosti)