VLADIVOSTOK, March 31. /TASS/. Russia's S-300 surface-to-air missile systems hit a simulated enemy's ground air defense objects during drills in eastern Siberia's Republic of Buryatia, a spokesman for the Eastern Military District told TASS Friday.

The launches were conducted as part of large-scale exercises at the Telemba training ground.

"Crews of the S-300 missile systems performed rocket strikes at ground air defense objects of a simulated enemy," the head of the Eastern Military District’s press service, Col. Alexander Gordeyev, said.

As part of the exercises, Buk missile systems and the latest Tor-M2U air defense missile systems hit small high-speed targets that simulated drones, while about 20 simulated aircraft were downed by the Strela-10 short-range air defense missile system, the Igla man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile and the Shilka self-propelled, radar guided anti-aircraft weapon.

"The district’s aviation and air defense grouping continues its combat duty and is ready for any changes in the air situation," Gordeyev said.