The Russian navy squadron to hold joint naval drills with Venezuelan forces does not carry nuclear weapons, said Foreign Minister spokesman Andrei Nesterenko.

Nesterenko told RIA Novosti news agency that the Tlatelolco Treaty Bans Nuclear Weapons from Latin America but does not forbid atomic powered units like the "Peter the Great" cruiser.

Russian Navy spokesman, Capt. Igor Digalo, says this cruiser, the flag ship of the Russian Navy, is the largest world cruiser and is powered by four reactors.

The Peter the Great includes two "Udav" RBU-1200 antisubmarine systems, S-300 and S-300FM missiles and 20 Granit anti-ship supersonic missiles with an over 310 mile firing range.

Its artillery consists of Kortik anti-air missile with 144 guided missiles and 24,000 projectiles of 30mm, an RBU-1000 anti-submarine complex, on-board copters and 128 Kinzhal anti-air guided missiles.

This regiment led by Rear Adm. Vladimir Koroliov, vice commander of the North Float, also involves the anti-submarine Adm. Chabanenko, the salvage tug Nikolai Chiquin and the Ivan Bubnov tanker.

Digalo says the squadron will observe international laws and regulations on naval operations in times of peace.