Russian Troops Return to Base After Surprise Black Sea Drills

01.04.2013 Troops of Russia’s Southern Military District have returned to their base after taking part in surprise Black Sea exercises ordered by President Vladimir Putin, the military district’s press office said.

“The personnel of the Southern Military District’s command and control brigade that took part in the surprise check of the combat readiness of troops (forces) in the country’s south have arrived at their permanent base in the Rostov Region, having covered a distance of over 900 km [559 miles],” the press office said in a statement.

Putin ordered the snap drills on Thursday, as concerns persist over the combat readiness of the armed forces. The Black Sea exercise involved up to 7,000 military personnel, including rapid deployment, airborne and special task forces, more than 30 warships, about 250 armored vehicles, up to 20 pieces of artillery and 20 aircraft.

The drills involved personnel, combat vehicles and warships from Russia’s Southern Military District and Black Sea Fleet stationed in Sevastopol in Ukraine’s Crimea.