AIRBORNE DIVISION BEGINS EXERCISE IN RYAZAN REGION

MOSCOW, March 21 (RIA Novosti) - A command-post exercise (CPX) of the 106th Airborne Division, with parachute jumping and live fire, will be held in the Ryazan region from March 21 to 25, reports the press service of the Airborne Troops. The goal of the CPX is to train in parachuting and waging hostilities behind the enemy lines, ensuring the division's mobility and fulfilling tasks in unknown terrain, as well as interacting with the Air Force.

Military transport planes and assault aviation of the Air Force will take part in the CPX. Field firing will be held at the Dubrovichi range of the Airborne Troops on March 25.

"This large number of tasks to be fulfilled during the CPX is designed to ensure the fulfillment of immediate development and training tasks of the Airborne Troops," runs the statement by the press service.

Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov reported to President Putin about the beginning of a large exercise of the Airborne Troops and the Air Force in the Central Federal District. The exercise "involved the 106th Airborne Division and fighter, assault, bombing and military transport aircraft," Ivanov said at a conference of the president with cabinet members. According to the minister, about 3,000 servicemen and 300 hardware will take part in the exercise.