MOSCOW. Aug 21 (Interfax) - More than 6,000 servicemen and over 1,100 items of military hardware in the Urals have been put on alert and started moving toward the Chebarkul range in the Chelyabinsk region to join diversified exercises, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"During the maneuvers, tankmen will train modern combat methods, including a tank carousel. That is, tens of T-72B3 tanks will drive out of their shelters by turns, fire and then again occupy the initial positions. This method deprives the opponent of ability to respond promptly," it said.
"The main purpose of the inspection is to comprehensively assess the combat training level, interoperability and preparedness of the division's military units to perform their missions," it said.
The Guards Vitebsk-Novgorod Tank Division Twice Decorated with the Order of the Red Banner was established in Russia's Central Military District at the end of 2016. Its units are stationed in the Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions. The division is armed with modern versions of the T-72 tanks and advanced BTR-82A armored personnel carriers.