President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered massive exercises involving most of its military units in western Russia amid tensions in Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a televised statement made at a meeting of top military brass in Moscow that the exercise is intended to "checks the troops' readiness for action in crisis situations that threaten the nation's military security," Reuters reported.
In remarks carried by Russian news agencies, Shoigu said that the maneuvers involve over 150,000 troops, 880 tanks, 90 aircraft and 80 navy ships, according to Reuters.
He said the exercise was unrelated to the developments in Ukraine, where tensions remain high following the toppling of Russia-backed President Viktor Yanukovych, Reuters reported.
He added that the exercise will be held near Russian borders, including the border with Ukraine, according to Reuters.
He also said, according to Russian news reports, that his ministry will take steps to strengthen security of the facilities of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, without elaborating, Reuters reported.
Shoigu said Putin ordered the exercise Wednesday afternoon, according to Reuters. During the first two days, the military will be put on high alert and some will deploy to shooting ranges.
The actual maneuvers will start Friday and will last four days, he said, Reuters reported. the exercise will involve ships of the Baltic and the Northern Fleets and the air force.
Russia has questioned the legitimacy of the new Ukrainian authorities and accused them of failing to control radicals who threaten the Russia-speaking population in Ukraine's east and south, according to Reuters.
A senior Russian lawmaker on Tuesday told pro-Russia activists in Crimea that Moscow will protect them if their lives are in danger, Reuters reported.
