MOSCOW, October 9 (RIA Novosti) - Events in the Middle East highlight that the threat of chemical and biological weapons use remains prevalent, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday in a conference call with the top military brass of the Armed Forces.
"In the modern conditions the danger of the use of chemical and biological toxic agents remains. The recent events in the Middle East are the evidence," Shoigu said.
In this regard, the minister mentioned the ongoing large-scale cross-service exercise, which started October 7 in the Central Military District in the Saratov Region, involving Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense (RChBD) troops from all military districts of the country.
"It involves about 2,000 people and 370 military and special equipment units, including 20 aviation units," the minister said.
According to Shoigu, the goal of the exercise is to develop responses to chemical and biological emergencies.
The practical part of the exercise is divided into two stages. During the first stage on October 8, the units tackled a simulated biological disaster.
On Thursday, the second stage of the exercise began. It takes place in a purpose-built village where RChBD troops, Emergency Situations Ministry personnel and other agencies are cooperating to respond to a disaster at a large chemical plant.
