MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Thursday, Russia started the major snap inspection to test readiness of the country's armed forces on its western borders.
"It [the inspection] can not threaten [anyone] by any means. I will stress that NATO is familiar with this practice. For our country, with its size, it is one of the most optimal ways to ensure the battle readiness of the army," Grushko told RIA Novosti.
Grushko added that all Russia's military activities, including snap inspections, were fully in compliance with the country's international obligations, namely Document on Confidence and Security-Building Measures adopted in Vienna in 2011.
Snap combat readiness inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops on August 25-31.