Military Drills of Russian Internal Troops in Crimea and Rostov Oblast

Internal Forces units of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs held Zaslon-2015 operative and tactical exercises in the North Caucasian and Crimean federal districts. The troops performed scenarios on border security and counter-terrorism measures.

 

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© Photo : The press-service of the internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation

The Zaslon-2015 large-scale exercises were held on April 2-10 in the North-Western, Central, Privolzhsky, North Caucasian, Southern and Crimean federal districts.

Above: Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs’ troops during the Zaslon-2015 drills in Crimea.

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© Photo : he press-service of the internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation

During the drills, Internal Forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs completed training tasks on border security, maintaining public security in cities and protecting government facilities.

Above: The Zaslon-2015 exercises in Crimea.

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© Sputnik / Taras Litvinenko

Internal Troops joined forces with regional departments of Russia’s federal services in the exercises. The combined forces of the North Caucasian federal district held counter-terrorism training in its area of responsibility.

Above: A helicopter of the Internal Troops of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs during counter-terrorism drills in the Simferopol district, Crimea.

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© Sputnik / Sergey Pivovarov

In the Stavropol Territory and in Crimea Internal Troops cooperated with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on border security measures.

Above: An internal forces serviceman during drills at the Kadamovsky training range in the Rostov region.

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© Sputnik / Sergey Pivovarov

Recently, a separate brigade of the North Caucasian command of the Internal Troops was formed in Simferopol. During the drills they repelled a simulated militant invasion in the republic of Crimea.

Above: Internal Troops of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs during exercises at the Kadamovsky range in the Rostov region.

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© Photo : The press-service of the internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation

Reconnaissance divisions of the Rus unit, Mi-8 helicopters and armored vehicles of the Internal Troops were involved in the counter-terrorism training in Crimea.

Above: The Zaslon-2015 exercises in Crimea.

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© Photo : The press-service of the internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation

Due to the situation over the Crimean peninsula, no ammunition – even blank ammunition – was used during the exercises. Armored vehicles were equipped with sound imitation devices which simulated the sounds of a battlefield.

Above: The Zaslon-2015 exercises in Crimea.

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© Photo : The press-service of the internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation

In other Russian regions, Internal Troop units of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs also completed tasks according to the plan of the exercises.

Above: The Zaslon-2015 exercises in Crimea.

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© Photo : The press-service of the internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation

The Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are a gendarmerie-like paramilitary force of the federal government in Russia. The Internal Troops consist both of conscripts and volunteers. This year volunteers make up 70 percent of the forces.

Above: The Zaslon-2015 exercises in Crimea.

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© Photo : The press-service of the internal Troops of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation

Internal Troops support and reinforce the Russian police, deal with large-scale riots, internal armed conflicts and protect important state facilities. During wartime Internal Troops fall under Russia’s Armed Forces military command and complete the tasks related to local defense and maintaining rear area security.

Above: The Zaslon-2015 exercises in Crimea.