MOSCOW, July 24. /TASS/. Over 70 military units and formations have been set up in Russia’s Western Military District since 2016 and the troops have received about 5,000 new and upgraded weapon systems, Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday.

"The situation developing in the western strategic direction requires us to constantly improve the troops’ combat structure and the system of their stationing. For these purposes, over 70 large units and military formations have been set up, including two divisions and three brigades," Shoigu told the Defense Ministry’s board meeting.

"About 5,000 new and modernized weapon systems have been delivered to the troops, which has helped to increase their provision with modern armament from 39% to 54%," the defense minister said.

The necessary infrastructure is being created to accommodate troops and more than 350 facilities are expected to be put into operation until the end of the year, he noted.

More than 350 surprise checks have been held in the Western Military District since 2016, which have shown "the qualitative growth of the troops’ preparedness level and confirmed their readiness for accomplishing assigned missions," the defense minister stressed.