The exercises also included more than 300 pieces of military hardware, including T-72B3 tanks, Su-24 (Fencer) attack bombers, and Mi-8 (Hip) helicopters.
Drills were conducted in the framework of command-staff exercises and held concurrently with snap combat readiness drills by units of Russia’s Northern Fleet and Airborne Forces.
The snap inspection of combat readiness of Russia's Northern Fleet as well as units of the Western, Southern and Eastern Military Districts began on March 16 and is expected to last until March 21.
Earlier in March, the Russian Navy had started battle drills in the Barents Sea. Military drills had also started in the Black Sea, with Russia's Black Sea Fleet conducting search for a simulated enemy's submarines and carrying out minesweeping tasks.
In December 2014, the Russian Defense Ministry announced its plans to hold at least 4,000 military drills across the country in 2015.
