Updated 11:34 a.m. Moscow Time
KAMCHATKA, September 23 (RIA Novosti) – The recent large-scale military exercise in Russia's Far East, Vostok-2014, demonstrated that the degree of combat preparedness in Russian troops has risen, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.
The minister said that although "final conclusions are yet to be made," the troops involved have demonstrated efficient command and "a better degree of combat preparedness."
Shoigu said that the Vostok-2014 exercise is nearly complete. "This large-scale event of operational and combat training of the Eastern Military District was a logical continuation of an unannounced combat readiness check carried out on the orders of the Supreme Commander Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin," the minister said.
Addressing the servicemen who distinguished themselves in battle maneuvers in Cape Skalistii, Shoigu said: "You have actually demonstrated great skill, professionalism and the ability to ensure the military security of the Russian Federation in the eastern region."
The Vostok-2014 strategic military exercise in the Eastern Military District is taking place from September 19 to 25. The exercise was preceded by unannounced combat readiness checks.
