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Combat readiness snap check underway in Russia's Central Military District — minister

The inspection is aimed at assessing the military district’s capability to confront enemy air attacks

MOSCOW, May 25. /TASS/. The aviation grouping and air defense units of Russia’s Central Military District were alerted in a surprise combat readiness check, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Monday.

"For the purposes of making further preparations for the Center-2015 strategic military exercises, the supreme commander-in-chief has made a decision to check the combat readiness of the aviation grouping and air defense troops of the Central Military District," the Russian defense minister said.

As part of the Central Military District’s preparations for the strategic drills, a snap combat readiness check of units of collective rapid response units from the Collective Security Treaty Organization member states recently came to an end. The exercises were held in Tajikistan, the defense minister said.

"Orders were given to bring the united strategic command, the 2nd command of the Air Force and Air Defense Force [in the Central Military District], air force formations of the long-range aviation command, units in the Western and Southern Military Districts in full combat readiness from 13:00 Moscow time [10:00 GMT]," the defense minister said.

The surprise combat readiness inspection of the aviation grouping and air defense forces of the Central Military District will last until May 28, Russian Defence Minister said.

"The exercise is conducted to check the troops’ ability to deploy the field aviation control system and organise all-round support of air operations in new areas of deployment. The check will last for four days, from May 25 to 28," Shoigu said.

The Ashuluk and Kapustin Yar aviation and inter-service ranges will be used for the drills.

Shoigu said the inspection is aimed at assessing the military district’s capability to confront enemy air attacks. The check will also determine ways of the further development of the forces and means of aviation and air defence for organising the country’s reliable air attack protection.

"During the first day it is necessary to check the troops’ ability to promptly fulfil the combat readiness tasks. Further it is planned to disperse the aircraft to operational airfields, move air defence units to the ranges for tactical live-fire exercises in accordance with the purpose," the minister added.