Russia holds drills in southern military district

Russian armed forces are conducting several drills Friday along the Black Sea shores, the Defense Ministry said.

In southern military district, the two-day drills involve recently formed units of the Crimean naval base.

"Special focus will be on the newly formed forces and units of the Crimean naval base, the surface ship division, the naval and air defense aviation at Gvardeysk, Belbek, Saki and Kacha airfields," according to a statement released by the press office of the military district.

Artillery, air defense and ground units of the Coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet would also be involved in the drills that take place in several locations throughout the peninsula.

The armed forces deployed in Crimea have already conducted naval and air drills at the end of January.

Meanwhile, in another southern region of Krasnodar, the frontline aviation units have conducted separate drills, according to the Defense Ministry.

Strike helicopters Mi-28N and Mi-35, as well as transport Mi- 8AMTSh helicopters, have destroyed training targets using missile launchers and cannons. Their crews also mastered special piloting skills in difficult conditions.

Earlier this week, Russia's Pacific Ocean Fleet and military forces from the country's northeast launched snap training exercises on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Far East, with around 2,500 servicemen involved.

Russian Defense Ministry said in December that more than 4,000 drills are planned for 2015. Endite