MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered to put the Northern Fleet, certain units of airborne forces and the Western Military District on full combat alert from 8:00 a.m. Moscow time on Monday as part of snap checks, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has said at the National Defense Management Center.

He said the check will involve 38,000 military, 3,360 units of equipment, 41 warships, 15 submarines, and 110 planes and helicopters.

The snap checks will help to evaluate the capabilities of the Northern Fleet to ensure Russia’s military security in the Arctic.

"The main aim of [snap] checks is to evaluate the capabilities of the Northern Fleet to fulfil tasks on ensuring Russia’s military security in the Arctic," Shoigu said.

"New challenges and threats to the military security require further improvement of combat abilities of the Armed Forces and special attention to the newly formed strategic division in the northern direction," said the defense minister.

Within the snap[ checks, Russian military will enhance the force grouping in Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land, as well as eliminate a simulated enemy’s group of  the Navy.

On the first day of the inspection, which will last through to March 21, the military will check adherence to time norms, the minister said.

Then, the forces will take to training grounds, where tests and range practice will take place, Shoigu said.

At one certain time, chief commanders of the Armed Forces and divisions, heads of the Defense Ministry’s chief departments received packages with orders.

The minister said Russian military will practice long-distance relocation of troops of special purpose.

A working group has been set up that will be led by first deputy head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Sergey Rudskiy.

Live firing exercises began in the Caspian Sea on Monday. The exercises feature the Dagestan missile ship.

"For ten days, the crew will practice elements of sea training, tasks in anti-mine protection and tasks in guard and defense of unguarded ships off the harbour," press service of the South Military District said.

Since beginning of 2015, Russia has organized about 29 training exercises in the country from Kaliningrad in the west to the Far East, from the Barents to the Caspian and Black Seas. Some of the exercises continue now.