Russia launches large-scale military exercises, including in occupied Crimea

The Russian army kicks off a week-long large-scale battalion tactical exercise in southern Russia, as well as in the temporarily occupied Crimea, North Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Armenia.

The air defense forces’ press service made the announcement on Sunday, Ukrinform reports.

"The stage of bilateral battalion tactical and special exercises will be held in the period from August 9 to September 15 this year. In addition, the forces of the army, military transport, assault, and operational-tactical aircraft, as well as units and formations, including Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla warships, will be involved in the joint tactical plan,” the statement reads.

The exercises will be held across 20 military training grounds located in Astrakhan and Rostov regions, in Stavropol and Kuban, in Adygea, Dagestan, North Ossetia, Chechnya, at Russian military bases in Armenia, as well as in the temporarily occupied Crimea, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.

It is noted that within the framework of exercises of motorized infantry, tank, and artillery air defense units, military representing all types of troops will perform combat training tasks.

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