MOSCOW. April 15 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's Interior Forces are holding counter-terrorism exercises in 11 regions in central European Russia, Interior Forces spokesman Col. Vasily Panchenkov said.
"Tactically, no neighboring states are participating in the exercise in any way," Panchenkov told Interfax-AVN.
He declined to comment on media reports that exercises in the Lipetsk region include training for accepting refugees fleeing armed conflict zones.
"The exercise in the Lipetsk region is focusing on the security of air transportation. As part of the scenario, an explosive device is discovered aboard an aircraft that has arrived in Lipetsk city. Various agencies whose task is to maintain public security, including the Interior Forces, are being drawn into dealing with the situation," he said.
"In each region, a situation is being played out where terrorists are being combated. For example, in the Kursk and Voronezh regions, participants are being trained to ensure the secure operation of nuclear power plants. In other regions, emphasis is being put on guarding vital facilities in cities and large villages," the colonel said.
He said recent bombings in the Moscow subway that claimed 40 lives are "being taken into account" in the exercises, which began on Tuesday and end on Saturday.
The regions of Moscow, Smolensk and Tula are among sites where the exercises are taking place.