VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Marines of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet started exercises in the Eastern Military District in Russia's Far East, kicking off the country's first drills in 2018, the Sputnik news agency reported Tuesday.

Citing a Pacific Fleet press statement released Monday, Sputnik said about 1,000 servicemen of the Pacific Fleet's marine corps and units began performing tasks at the ranges of Bamburovo, Gornostai and Radygine, the first to begin combat training tasks in 2018.

The marines will perform tasks of combat vehicles driving, tactical methods of combat and engineering training issues, as well as practical shooting from all types of small arms, it said.

Up to 200 units of combat and special equipment were sent to the exercises, it added.

Based in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, the Pacific Fleet is part of the Russian Navy and a force of the Eastern Military District, one of the four operational strategic commands of the Russian military.