(VOVworld) - The Russian Army will hold more than 2,000 military exercises of different scales from June to October, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday.

Russian soldiers will participate in intensive summer drills. (Photo: the Russian Ministry of Defense)

The training schedule focuses on tactical forces and individual performance parameters, such as flight and airdrop records. According to the defense minister, the strategic chief-of-staff exercises Caucasus-2016 scheduled for September will be a concluding part of summer training. He added that Russia will take part in 9 international exercises, involving the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Belarus, and Mongolia among other countries.
Minister Shogu said such drills will help the Russian Armed Forces maintain their combat ability to protect national interests and respond to geopolitical conflicts.

NATO is currently holding military exercises in east European countries and carrying out military activities on Russia’s western border.