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Russian defense minister arrives at testing range for final phase of military snap check

Russia's long-range aircraft will attack targets while fighter planes will practise interception of cruise missiles
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Klimentyev
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu
© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Klimentyev

ASHULUK /Astrakhan Region/, May 28. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has arrived at the Ashuluk proving ground, near Astrakhan, for the final phase of the combat readiness check of the Central Military District’s Air Force and air defense.

The chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov briefed Shoigu on the operative situation in the area of the exercise.

"The check’s culminating point will be a flight tactical exercise at the Ashuluk and Kapustin Yar proving grounds," Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told the media.

In the course of the exercise the Air Force and air defense units are to repel a massive air attack and carry out launches of guided air defense missiles at various types of targets.

Planes will deliver rocket and bomb strikes against hypothetical enemy’s bases. Long-range aircraft will attack targets at the Pemboi proving ground in the Komi Republic. Fighter planes will practise interception of cruise missiles.

The surprise combat readiness check of the Air Force and air defenses of the Central Military District began on May 25, with some units of the western and southern military districts and long-range and military transport aircraft taking part.

The exercise involves about 12,000 troops, 250 planes and helicopters and 700 other pieces of military equipment.

As it was announced earlier, the emphasis will be on the deployment of air force control means in the field, all-round support for Air Force operations in the new deployment areas and the airlifting of air defense units.