A group of six Russian navy warships conducted firing exercises in the South China Sea, the country's Pacific Fleet said Thursday.

"A big anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleyev has conducted artillery shooting exercises in the South China Sea. The sea targets were destroyed," Pacific Fleet spokesman Roman Martov told local media.

Ka-27 carrier-born helicopters made several sorties in a simulated enemy submarine search. The crews also tested their ships' survival capabilities, Martov said.

The Russian ships, including one big anti-submarine ship, three landing ships, a tanker and a rescue vessel, are on their way to the Gulf of Aden where they will protect navigation against piracy.

This is the ninth mission by the Pacific Fleet to Somali shores.