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88 combat vessels, boats put to sea as part of Southern Military District inspection

The Defense Ministry said the maneuvers involve up to 8,500 personnel, 900 units of military hardware, 200 aircraft and helicopters, as well as 50 vessels

OPUK RANGE /Crimea/, February 11. /TASS/. A total of 88 combat vessels, boats and service ships have put to sea as part of a check of combat readiness of the Southern Military District, Russian Armed Forces General Staff Chief Army General Valery Gerasimov said Thursday.

"Operational-tactical aircraft got redeployed to operational airfields where a group was formed to fulfill tasks to repel the hypothetical aggressor and make a massive airstrike. A total of 48 aircraft and 24 helicopters have been redeployed," Gerasimov reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a video conference call.

"A total of 88 combat vessels, boats and support ships were taken to sea areas," he said.

The snap check of the combat readiness of the Southern Military District’s troops, a number of formations of the Airborne Troops and military-transport aviation started Monday morning.

The Defense Ministry said the maneuvers involve up to 8,500 personnel, 900 units of military hardware, 200 aircraft and helicopters, as well as 50 vessels. The ministry said forces and facilities of the Central Military District are involved in the maneuvers.