Russia puts defense systems on combat duty amid ongoing large-scale drill

The advanced S-300 and S-400 air defense systems of the Russian Southern Military District are being put on combat duty in new positions as part of an ongoing large-scale snap drill, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.

Meanwhile, warships of Russia's Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla are conducting various defensive tasks at both the Black and the Caspian seas, involving a host of missile ships, anti-submarine ships, gunboats, missile boats and minesweeping ships, the ministry said in a statement.

Fighter jets, bombers and attack helicopters of the country's Aerospace Forces of the Western and Central Military Districts have also started to relocate aviation equipment to airfields in the Southern Military District for the surprise drill.

The Russian Armed Forces have started a weeklong snap military drill involving three of the country's four military districts from Thursday to check their ability to "beef up forces" and "defend Russia's interests amid growing security threats." Endit