Massive Air Force Drill Under Way In Russia

Left Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin

Massive Air Force Drill Under Way In Russia.(rferl).

The Russian Defense Ministry says that its air forces have begun a massive exercise involving hundreds of aircraft and thousands of service personnel.

In a May 25 statement, the ministry described the four-day drill as a "massive surprise inspection," to check combat readiness.

"The inspection involves about 12,000 military service personnel, as well as up to 250 planes and helicopters and 689 various weapons and pieces of military hardware," the statement said.

The manoeuvers began on the same day as NATO and some of its partners started an Arctic training exercise.

Russia's involvement in Ukraine and incursions into Western airspace have led to rising tensions with the West.

A ministry spokesperson said that, during the inspection, "Long-range aviation aircraft will carry out cruise missile strikes against a mock enemy's ground targets at the Pemboi test and training area (in the Komi Republic)."

Asked about Russia's assertiveness in a television interview, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin joked that "tanks don't need visas." Read the full story here.