VLADIVOSTOK, September 22. /ITAR-TASS/. In a large-scale military exercise conde-named Vostok 2014 (East 2014), Russian MiG-31 fighter-interceptor aircraft air covered on Monday a Pacific Fleet’s naval group, Defense Ministry sources told ITAR-TASS.

Crews of four Mig-31 aircraft took off from Yelizovo airfield in Kamchatka’s regional centre of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, heading for the Pacific to air cover warships in an imaginary evasive action.

Despite difficult weather conditions, they successfully simulated air fights and also fired missiles at sea targets.

The planes covered more than 2,000 kilometers and spent about three hours in flight.

A strategic command and staff exercise code-named Vostok 2014 (East 2014) with about 100,000 troops participating began in the Eastern Military District on September 19.

The manouevres involve units that participated in a snap combat readiness check in the Eastern Military District on September 11-18 when the troops were put on full combat alert, airlifted, and redeployed by rail and sea. Tactical and cruise land-, sea-and air-launched missiles will be fired during the manoeuvres taking place at more than 20 training ranges from Anadyr in the north to Vladivostok in the south.

The troops practice skills to defend the coast and islands in Sakhalin, Kamchatka, Chukotka, and the southern part of the Primorsky Territory.

The exercises will end on September 25. They are the final stage of a series of command and staff, and special exercises, drills, and surprise inspections in 2014.