Russia holds nationwide military drills

Ivanovo Region Airborne Troops Battalion soldiers march to an airfield during an operational readiness check of the Russian airborne troops, the Northern Fleet forces and units of the Western Military District. [Photo/IC]

MOSCOW - Russian Armed Forces have been put on high alert in its western and southern military districts, as well as in the western sector of Arctic, Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

According to the ministry's press service, the landing troops of the Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea, which involve large landing ship Kondopoga, have been alerted at a short notice and left their base in Kola Bay.

Five other ships of the Northern Fleet and aviation groups have joined the drills, searching imaginary enemy's submarines and simulating air defense combat in the Barents Sea.

These groups comprise anti-submarine ship Admiral Levchenko, the Sovremennyy-class destroyer Admiral Ushakov, several dozens of anti-sub aircrafts as well as Mi-8, Mi-24 and Mi-26 helicopters.

Meanwhile, units of the Baltic Fleet, southern military district and Airborne Forces started their movements to the designated areas in the Arctic, according to the ministry.