Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered unprecedented military exercises in which 150,000 elements and hundreds of planes and ships take part to ensure "Russia's security in the southwest" of the country, the Defense Ministry announced Friday.
"In line with the decision of the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces, surprise training is being conducted by the forces in the southern and western military regions," Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a statement.
About 150,000 personnel, including the Air Force and Marine Corps for the Northern Fleet and Pacific Fleet, will participate in the exercises.
It also includes more than 400 aircraft and more than a hundred ships and will take place in the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and others.
The Ministry of Defense stated that the exercises are aimed at testing the readiness of the Russian army to ensure "security in southwestern Russia where terrorism remains a serious threat" and to prepare for "Caucasus -2020" military exercises.
And Putin, 67, supervised earlier this month a controversial voting process that led to a constitutional amendment allowing him to hold the presidency for two more terms of six years each after his current term expires in 2024.