MOSCOW. Aug 25 (Interfax-AVN) - Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin has ordered to hold a surprise check of combat preparedness of forces in the southern, western and central military districts, the Northern Fleet and the supreme commands of the Aerospace Forces and the Airborne Forces, Russian Defense Minister Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu said, adding that the check would be over on August 31.
"Another surprise check has begun today on the orders from the supreme commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces. Forces in the southern military district, some forces in the western and central military districts, the Northern Fleet, the supreme command of the Aerospace Forces and the command of the Airborne Forces were put on 'full' combat alert at 7 a.m. Moscow time," Shoigu told military commanders on Thursday.
"The check shall be held from August 25 till August 31," the minister said.