Drills in southern Russia focused on re-grouping at large distances - Shoigu
MOSCOW. March 24 (Interfax) - During the recent snap military drills in southern Russia the armed forces practiced increased mobility and emergency re-grouping, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"Units of the 7th Airborne Division, 810th naval infantry brigade, supported by army helicopters of the Southern Military District, were practicing increased mobility and their capability to re-group in a combine fashion over large distances within the shortest possible period of time," Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
In addition, "the Black Sea Fleet's naval aircraft carried out strikes against mock aerial and naval enemies in the southwestern part of the Black Sea," he said.
"Units of the eleventh engineering brigade boarded a train and travelled to build a pontoon bridge across the Kerch Strait," Shoigu added.
Meanwhile, the drills held in the Central Military District checked the standard times for forming a group of troops intended to operate as part of peacekeeping forces, Shoigu said, adding that particular focus was also on manning with contract servicemen.
"Peacekeeping tests and tactical drills, as well as preparation for transportation over large distances were conducted at training areas," he said.