MOSCOW, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian naval ships, including a missile cruiser, started a joint military exercise with Turkish ships on Monday in the Black Sea, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

    The missile cruiser Moskva, a landing ship and a support ship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet left the Turkish port of Istanbul for the maneuvers after concluding their visit on Monday. Two frigates and two missile motor boats from Turkey will take part in the exercise.

    During the two-day maneuvers, Russian and Turkish naval ships will drill communication tasks, joint maneuvering and a training episode of encounter battle, navy official Igor Dygalo was quoted as saying.

    Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Masorin, who concluded his visit to Turkey on Monday, will stay on board the cruiser Moskva to watch the maneuvers.

    During Masorin's visit to Turkey, he discussed further cooperation between the two navies with his Turkish counterpart. Enditem