MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) member-states were informed in a ‘gesture of good will’ on the snap combat readiness drills of the Northern Fleet in the Arctic region, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told reporters on Tuesday.
- Ballistic missile systems to be redeployed to Russia's westernmost region — source
- Russian strategic bombers to be redeployed to Crimea amid snap check — source
- Large-scale tank drills underway at new combat training center in Russia
- Units of Russia's Baltic Fleet, Southern Military District, Airborne Force on combat alert
- Large-scale drills in Arctic to demonstrate Russia’s military strength — experts
"The number of the troops and military equipment involved in the exercises do not exceed the levels that fall within the Vienna document of 2011 and are subject to advanced notification," Antonov stressed.
The surprise combat readiness check of the Northern Fleet, a number of units of the western military region and airborne troops began on Monday and will last until March 21.
The drills involve 38,000 troops, 3,360 pieces of equipment, more than 55 warships and submarines and 110 aircraft and helicopters. The goal is to evaluate the capability of the Northern Fleet to ensure Russia’s military security in the Arctic region.