MOSCOW, September 24 (RIA Novosti) - Naval task groups from Russia's Northern Fleet have joined large-scale Russia-Belarus military exercises now in their third day, the fleet's press service said on Wednesday.

The Stability-2008 drills will last until October 21 in various regions of Russia and Belarus with the goal of practicing strategic deployment of the Armed Forces, including the nuclear triad, to counter potential threats near the Russian border.

"Various warships, nuclear-powered and diesel submarines, naval aviation and coastal troops from the Northern Fleet will participate in the exercises," the press service said in a statement.

The naval units will practice strategic deployment and interoperability of various units in missions in territorial waters, exclusive economic zones and specific regions of the world's oceans, the document said.

The Northern Fleet is the most capable part of the Russian Navy defending the country's territory beyond the Arctic Circle. About two thirds of all the Russian Navy's nuclear force is in service with the fleet.