MOSCOW. March 24 (Interfax) - The main goal of the snap military drills was to assess the capabilities of the newly-created Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command; during the drills the president issued further instructions to get troops from Southern and Eastern Military Districts, as well as the Baltic Fleet involved, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"The main purpose was to assess the newly-formed Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command's real capabilities to provide military security in our country's Arctic region, Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin.
Yet another task was added, that of "building up troops within a short period of time in other strategic areas," he added.