MOSCOW, August 11. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces have started the redeployment of personnel and military equipment to the Ashuluk range in southern Russia (Astrakhan region), the Russian Defense Ministry told ITAR-TASS on Monday.

The second active phase of the scheduled tactical exercise with field firing will be held there, the ministry added.

“The first train with the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems, special engineer equipment, as well as supplies for the deployment of a field camp for the personnel has arrived at the Ashuluk range,” the ministry said. The Favorit S-300 systems, Pantsir-S-1 anti-aircraft artillery weapon system, radio-technical systems of air defense units of the Aerospace Defence Forces are now expected to arrive at the drill site. Overall, more than 800 troops and more than 200 units of combat and special equipment of the Aerospace Defense Forces will be involved in the scheduled exercise.

The maneuvres will end on August 28. They have three stages. “The first stage will focus on putting the troops on high alert at their permanent bases,” the Defense Ministry said. During the second stage, personnel and combat equipment that will form a grouping of units of the Aerospace Defense Forces, will be transferred to Ashuluk.

The ministry said the main task of the air defense and missile defense Command of the Aerospace Defense Forces is to shield the city of Moscow and the central industrial district, covering the facilities of the top state and military management, industry and energy facilities, Armed Forces’ groups and transportation lines from aerospace strikes. The Command’s responsibility zone stretches for about 4,500km, embracing the territory of more than 25 regions and three republics of Russia.