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Feb. 26, 2014 / 10:48 AM

Russia holds snap combat readiness drills

Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the Defense Ministry to conduct "snap combat readiness drills" to ensure constant combat readiness, the first such drill in 2014.

Russian military cadets march during the Victory Day parade to on the Red Square in Moscow, on May 9, 2012. Russian armed forces began "snap combat readiness drills" on February 26, 2014 as part of a regular exercise to ensure combat readiness. (UPI)

1 of 2 | Russian military cadets march during the Victory Day parade to on the Red Square in Moscow, on May 9, 2012. Russian armed forces began "snap combat readiness drills" on February 26, 2014 as part of a regular exercise to ensure combat readiness. (UPI) | License Photo

MOSCOW, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced Wednesday that "snap combat readiness drills" would commence at 2:00 p.m. Moscow time at the direction of President Vladimir Putin.

The surprise drills involve units from the Western Military District and the Second Guards Army of the Central Military District, as well as commands from the Aerospace Defense Forces, Airborne Troops, Military Transport Aviation, and Long-Range Aviation.

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According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the drills are used to ensure combat readiness.

In 2013, Russia held six "snap combat readiness drills."

[RIA Novosti]

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