The inspection of military command, military units and formations, which took place in the South Military District in March 2013, was a success, the president of the Russian Federation and commander-in-chief of the armed forces Vladimir Putin says.
"In general, I believe that all personnel coped with the tasks well. I want to thank the Department of Defense, the leadership of the General Staff, the personnel of the Southern Military District, the Airborne Forces, Navy and special forces", Putin said on Monday at a meeting which discussed the results of military exercises in southern Russia in March, RIA News reported.
He also noted that the purpose of these activities is to "identify weaknesses, in a deep, thorough and objective analysis of the situation in order to improve the structure and operation of all combat units," the president said.
Putin noted that the tests revealed some weaknesses, particularly in the field of communication.
As previously reported by Vestnik Kavkaza, in the early morning of March 28 Vladimir Putin suddenly gave the order to start the exercises in the Black Sea area. They involved about 7,000 people, 30 ships, 250 armored vehicles, 50 artillery pieces, 20 combat aircraft and helicopters, rapid deployment forces, airborne troops and special forces. The unannounced exercise took place in a region where the Olympics will be held in less than a year.
