ROSTOV-ON-DON. Jan 23 (Interfax-AVN) - Formations and military units of the Southern Military District stationed in 15 Russian constituent territories have begun a combat exercise under the supervision of District Commander Col. Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, the district's press service said in a statement.
"Servicemen of the Southern Military District will spend the next few days practicing providing crews with weapons and equipment, removing combat hardware from storage, departing from bases to designated areas, and deploying field command posts," the press service said.
Combined-arms armies, the Black Sea Fleet, the Caspian Flotilla, the air and air defense forces, and Russian military bases abroad are taking part, it said.
The exercise will include alert and communications training and drilling of the practical actions of duty officers, commanders, staffs, and troops during the departure of military hardware from motor pools and the formation of convoys to prepare for missions.
Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla crews will practice being put on high alert, including engaging in combat, relocating, passing through narrow channels, anchoring, and providing all types of security and defense at sea.
Air force units will practice protecting airfields from enemy strikes, as well as planning and relocating to operative airfields.
The week-long drill will result in the elaboration of unified requirements of combat preparedness for all commands and military units.