MOSCOW, March 22. /TASS/. Paratroopers from the Ulyanovsk, Ivanovo and Tula airborne formations and also airborne troops stationed in the Moscow Region have been alerted in a surprise combat readiness check and moved to marshalling areas, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

Strategic command and staff exercises involving about 30,000 personnel and over 3,800 pieces of military hardware have started in Russia to practise the chain of command of the armed forces.

"In the convoy marshalling areas, the commanders will get instructions on making marches to aerodromes, railway stations of embarkation and assigned districts. The check will assess the capabilities of the Airborne Force Command for exercising command and control of a joint force grouping upon the accomplishment of assigned missions," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The combat readiness check also involves military-transport and tactical aviation task forces, the ministry’s press office said.

"Tactical aviation aircraft will practise missions to provide air support for troops with practical bombing at the Totskoye training range. Military-transport and army aviation will airdrop operational-level and tactical airborne forces at the Totskoye, Pesochnoye and Seltsy training ranges and the Klokovo aerodrome with the involvement of aircraft and helicopters," the press office said.

The surprise combat readiness check has engaged about 30,000 troops, over 3,800 pieces of combat hardware and over 100 aircraft.