MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin has informed foreign military attaches accredited in Russia of a sudden combat readiness check in the armed forces, the Defense Ministry’s press office reported on Monday.

"During this measure, Colonel-General Fomin informed of a sudden comprehensive check of troops (forces) of the Central and Eastern Military Districts, the Airborne Force, long-range and military transport aviation being carried out in the Russian Armed Forces. He designated in detail the tasks that will be accomplished during the sudden check, and also the involved forces and resources," the press office said.

As the Defense Ministry said, "for the purpose of strengthening confidence-building measures, this information has also been brought to the notice of the member states of the Vienna Document 2011 via OSCE channels."

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Monday that a sudden combat readiness check had kicked off in Russia’s Central and Eastern Military Districts, long-range and military transport aviation on order by Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin. The snap combat readiness check will last through August 25, he said.