Russia’s Itar-tass News Agency reports that Russian naval vessels have passed through the Strait of Gibraltar for a maritime drill in the Mediterranean Sea.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense said the Russian ships passed through the strait and entered the Mediterranean Sea at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Moscow time.

The ships will make a port call at Spain's Alboran Island to pick up supplies and then continue on.

Some of the naval ships will stop by at the naval base Russia operates at Tartous port in Syria.