MOSCOW, August 29. /TASS/. Combat crews of anti-aircraft missile and radio-technical troops of the Southern Military District that marched to new positioning areas within the framework of a snap combat readiness check of troops (forces), as well as fighter crews relocated to operational airfields, have been put on combat air defense duty in the territory of the Southern Federal District, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press office reported on Monday.

"Radar stations involved in the surprise combat readiness inspection drills of troops, including Nebo, Kasta, Desna, Gamma, Oborona of various modifications, allow the forces to control all airspace from zero altitude to several tens of kilometers within a range of several hundred kilometers," the statement says.

Crews of the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems, S-300 Favorit missile systems and Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile and gun systems carried out tactical missile launches on hypothetical target, practicing interaction with the command posts of air defense forces of the Southern Military District.

The crews of Sukhoi Su-27 fighters are on the ground alert ready to take off within two minutes on the alert force command for detecting airborne targets, their classification and using of all available means, including aircraft weapons, to prevent the simulated enemy from crossing into the country’s airspace, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.