MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. Chief of Russia’s General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov has inspected progress in combat missions by the Battlegroup West, heard a report from the group’s commander, and set further tasks, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation -- First Deputy Defense Minister of the Russian Federation Army General Valery Gerasimov inspected the progress of combat missions by formations and military units of the Battlegroup West. At the command post of one of the formations, the chief of the General Staff heard a report from the group’s commander, Colonel General Sergey Kuzovlev, on the situation in the area of responsibility, as well as reports from formation and unit commanders on the results of their assigned combat missions," the ministry said.

Summing up the visit, Gerasimov praised the performance of the battlegroup and set further objectives. At the end of the visit, the army general awarded state decorations to servicemen who distinguished themselves in combat missions and thanked them for their courage and heroism.