On February 11 in the course of a videoconference, the Chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, who was at the Opuk testing range in Crimea, and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu briefed the President on the inspection of the combat readiness of the Southern Military District troops.
On February 11 in the course of a videoconference, the Chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, who was at the Opuk testing range in Crimea, and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu briefed the President on the inspection of the combat readiness of the Southern Military District troops.
As President's website reports the spot inspection of the Southern Military District troops, a number of units of the Airborne Forces and the Military Transport Aviation began on February 8. Taking part in the exercises are up to 8,500 people, 900 units of military equipment, 200 airplanes and helicopters, and 50 ships. The Central Military District forces and equipment are also involved in the manoeuvres.
Putin stressed that the personnel were acquitting themselves well, acting in a professional manner and confirming their readiness to ensure Russia’s security in the southwestern strategic direction, including the Crimean Peninsula.
«We need to continue the practice of such spot inspections. We can see that they have proven successful, making it possible to consistently raise the combat readiness of the army and navy and the forces’ concerted action», Putin said.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu reported: «Another spot complex inspection is being held in the Armed Forces from February 8 to test combat readiness. Troops and forces of the Southern Military District, units and military installations of the Central Military District, Airborne Forces and Military Transport Aviation have been put on high alert within the fixed limitations and have commenced performing their combat exercise tasks. To test the control system down to brigade level, field and mobile control points were set up in the Southern and Central Military Districts. To train the deployment of territorial defence, headquarters have been set up for the defence of Rostov Region, Sevastopol and Simferopol. The troops and forces taking part in the exercises were redeployed to a distance of up to 3,000 kilometres to 18 testing ranges, and the armed group in Crimea has been reinforced. Aviation and air defence forces are ready to repel a mass air strike by the hypothetical aggressor. A control system has been set up in the combat zone, along with logistic and medical support with the use of mobile units. Operational coordination was carried out».
He added: «We organised the security and defence of engineering equipment at troop deployment locations. Reconnaissance was carried out in the areas of future action. We completed the planning of the use of troops and forces to implement training combat missions. Since February 9, the troops have been working on practical assignments in localising crisis situations linked to terrorist attacks, seizure of state and military facilities and the destruction of hydraulic engineering works. Today the spot inspection entered its final stage involving 29 exercises at various levels. Currently combat training is being conducted at the Opuk testing range. Bilateral tactical exercises of the Black Sea Fleet and Airborne Forces are to practice defending the coastline and repelling a sea landing operation. In addition, air defence units and fighter aviation located in the Crimean Federal District are repelling a massive air strike by the hypothetical aggressor».
The Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported on the current stages of the spot inspection. He stressed: «Over the past three days, the troops and forces involved in the spot inspection have taken a series of steps to achieve complete combat readiness. They have performed all exercises required to prepare for combat, liquidate illegal armed groups, localise crisis situations on the territories of the Southern and North Caucasus federal districts and repel a hypothetical aggression. Up to 8,500 personnel, 900 units of military equipment, 50 naval vessels and up to 200 airplanes and helicopters were used within the boundaries of the Southern Military District in combat training, which is in keeping with the Vienna document of 2011. Within the established timeframe after an alarm call, units and military commands were deployed to the appointed locations. Overall, the re-grouping and relocation of aviation and the inspection confirmed the readiness of the troops to perform tasks to ensure the combat security of the Russian Federation in the southwestern strategic area».
According to his words by the start of the third stage, 29 exercises were prepared with the involvement of military units and installations of the 49th and 58th armies, the Black Sea Fleet and Airborne Forces. «Today in the course of combat training in the air, air defence forces and fighter aviation located on the territory of the Crimean Federal District repelled a hypothetical massive air missile strike. Bombing practice was successfully carried out at the Opuk range. Forces of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla have been deployed in the area of marine testing, where exercises continue with the groupings to ensure a favourable operating situation in areas of responsibility and protect underwater state borders and navigation. In addition, the Black Sea Fleet will practice in inflicting damage on the hypothetical aggressor’s naval forces», Gerasimov mentioned.
