Over 5,000 Russian troops to take part in Arctic drills

Over 5,000 troops will take part in the military exercises of the Russian Northern Fleet’s coastal defense and ground forces that have kicked off in the Polar Region, the fleet’s press office reported on October 18, TASS reports.

“Over 5,000 servicemen and more than 500 pieces of the armor and vehicular hardware will be involved at some stages of the drills,” the press office said.

The initial stage of the drills will practice bringing troops into the state of combat readiness and advancing from permanent bases.

The servicemen will use their organic military hardware to move to the training ranges of the Pechengsky district of the Murmansk Region, repelling attacks by the notional enemy’s subversive groups while en route and practicing air defense and actions required when the enemy uses mass destruction weapons.

During the drills, the troops will practice preparing for the defense and the offensive, chasing the enemy and exiting from the battle.

Special attention will be paid to the troops’ movements and camouflaging, organization of the ground in specific areas and frontiers and the forces’ sheltering on the terrain. Firing drills will be held at the final stage of the maneuvers.