Russian Defense Ministry reports that Aerospace forces of Central and Western military districts have been relocated to bases in Southern military district as a part of snap combat readiness inspection.
"Fighter jets and bomber aircraft, as well as military transport and attack helicopters will perform a flight over a distance of 500 to 2,500 kilometers", says Defense Ministry official website.
Western military district spokesman Igor Muginov explained that MiG-29SMT and MiG-31BM have been relocated to bases in Krasnodar Krai and Rostov Oblast, while Su-34 bombers have been relocated to bases on Crimean Peninsula.
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 on order of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
The inspection includes, among other things, military exercises of Russian fleets in Black and Caspian Seas, relocation of airborne troops and marines and maneuvers of S-300 and S-400 air defense systems.
Russian Envoy to NATO said that this large-scale snap inspection does not pose threat to anyone and is being conducted in line with the country's international obligations.
"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 said.
