Most journalists covering Caucasus 2016 maneuvers represent NATO countries - Russian Defense Ministry
OPUK RANGE (Crimea). Sept 9 (Interfax-AVN) - The next stage of the strategic command-post exercise Caucasus 2016, which is being held in Crimea on Friday, is covered by over 100 Russian and foreign journalists.
"An overwhelming majority of the foreign journalists who have arrived in Crimea to cover the Caucasus 2016 exercise are from NATO countries," Russian Defense Ministry official Igor Konashenkov said.
Today's stage of the maneuvers in Crimea is being covered by media representatives from 27 countries, he said.
"One of the key stages of the strategic command-post exercise Caucasus 2016 is being conducted in Crimea today," Konashenkov said.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has arrived in Crimea to inspect the actions of the headquarters and troops in the Caucasus 2016 exercise.
Konashenkov earlier told reporters actions by a joint force group of troops to repel an attack by a hypothetical enemy are being practiced on the Opuk firing range in the Southern Military District.
"All arms and branches of troops involved in the strategic command-post exercise will participate in this stage of the maneuvers," he said.
The Caucasus 2016 strategic command-and-staff exercises are taking place in the Southern Military District in accordance with the Russian Armed Forces' training plan in the period from September 5 to September 10 under the supervision of Russian Armed Forces General Staff Chief - First Deputy Defense Minister Gen. of the Army Valery Gerasimov. The exercises involve military commands and forces of the Southern Military District, some forces of the Central and Western Military Districts, the Northern Fleet, the Aerospace Forces, the Airborne Forces, and warships and support vessels of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla.