The conference call was devoted to a combat readiness inspection in the Eastern Military District and was attended by Deputy Ministers of Defence, the commanders-in-chief of arms and services, the commanders of military districts, fleets and large units, and the heads of central military command bodies.
The Minister of Defence said that in accordance with the presidential instructions the Eastern Military District and some groups of forces from the Central Military District had been issued combat training tasks and started implementing them. As of July 13, some 160,000 military personnel, around 1,000 tanks and armoured combat vehicles, 130 strategic, transport, fighter, bombing and army aircraft, and around 70 military warships and boats were involved in the inspection.
Mr Shoigu instructed the commanders-in-chief of arms and services and the commanders of military districts, fleets and large units to take all of the necessary measures to ensure safety and to prevent damage to the environment, to government and to private property and to farmlands during the exercises.
The Minister of Defence emphasised that the surprise inspection includes placing the troops on the highest rate of alert and regrouping with the use of various types of transport. The military units involved will fulfil their pre-set combat training tasks at ranges where they have never operated and which are located at a considerable distance from their permanent deployment areas.
Mr Shoigu said the focus is on combat control, transport, and material and technical and medical support.
Source: Ministry of Defence
