Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered large-scale snap checks on the combat readiness of the troops of the Southern and Western military districts and separate military units, airborne troops and marines of the Northern and Pacific fleets of the Russian Federation.
"In accordance with an order by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, snap exercises are being conducted by troops of the Southern and Western military districts, separate formations of central subordination, airborne troops and marines of the Northern and Pacific fleets," Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement on its website on July 17.
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The drills aim to assess the Russian army's "readiness to ensure military security in the Russian Federation's southwest where serious threats of terrorism remain, as well as preparing for the Caucasus-2020 strategic war games," the ministry said.
The drills include 56 tactical-level exercises with troops; 35 training grounds and shooting ranges, 17 marine areas in the waters of the Black and Caspian Seas will be used. In total, 149,755 servicemen, 26,820 units of weapons and military equipment, 414 aircraft, 106 ships and support vessels will be engaged.
