In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, a vessel of the Black Sea Fleet takes part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524412

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, Sukhoi Su-34 and Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets fly during the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524410

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, vessels of the Black Sea Fleet take part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524400

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, the Kamov Ka-29 helicopter takes part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524399

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, servicemen take part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524210

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, a view shows the landing of a military vehicle during the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524208

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, the Kamov Ka-29 helicopter takes part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524205

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, from right to left, the Commander of the Southern Military District, General of the Army Alexander Dvornikov, Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu attend the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524201

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, A BTR-82A armored personnel carrier (APC) takes part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524196

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, vessels of the Black Sea Fleet take part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524194

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, smoke rises during the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524191

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, a serviceman takes part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524188

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, left, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, in center, arrive at the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524186

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, from left to right, the Commander of the Southern Military District, General of the Army Alexander Dvornikov, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov watch the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524183

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, Caesar Kunikov large landing ship of the Black Sea Fleet takes part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524181

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, vessels of the Black Sea Fleet take part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524178

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, a Mil Mi-8 combat helicopter takes part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524171

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, Mil Mi-8 combat helicopters and Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" helicopters take part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524170

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, vessels of the Black Sea Fleet take part in the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524151

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, from left to right, Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Commander of the Southern Military District, General of the Army Alexander Dvornikov are seen at the helicopter as they arrive for the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524145

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu watches the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524129

In this handout photo released by Russian Defence Ministry, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu watches the main stage of the mixed exercise of the troops of the Southern Military District and the Airborne Troops, which is being conducted as part of a surprise check of combat readiness, at the Opuk training ground, Republic of Crimea, Russia. In practical actions of troops, units of the combined arms army, air force and air defenсe formations, warships and ships, military units of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, part of the forces of the Caspian Flotilla of the Southern Military District, as well as airborne units take part. Editorial use only, no archive, no commercial use.

22.04.2021#6524126