On Friday, June 27, it was announced the completion of a surprise check of the troops of the Central Military District (CVD). On this day, the last stages of the active phase of the maneuvers took place at the Chebarkulsky training ground in the Chelyabinsk region. The units involved in the exercises have successfully completed the assigned tasks. The completed check of combat readiness was attended by about 65 thousand people, about 5, 5 thousand pieces of equipment, 180 aircraft and 60 helicopters. The check started on June 21 after the order of the Supreme Commander. In accordance with the inspection plan, the units involved in it began to fulfill the assigned tasks, first of all, to sending them to the landfills.
As it became known at the end of the active phase of the exercises, their main goal was to work out the creation of a grouping consisting of subunits of the airborne forces, the air force, as well as combined arms formations. In addition, the troops have worked out actions in the Central Asian strategic direction. So, during the check, the 98th airborne division and the 31st separate airborne assault brigade were transferred from their bases to the Chelyabinsk region, where they began to perform combat training tasks, interacting with other branches of the military.
It is noteworthy that the test script was drawn up taking into account the military-political situation in strategically important areas. Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Viktor Bondarev said that the legend of the exercise was developed against the backdrop of future events in Central Asia. This year, foreign states intend to withdraw from Afghanistan the contingent of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). There are risks associated with the discontinuance of NATO forces in Afghanistan. Therefore, Russia must be prepared for the fact that certain difficulties and risks may arise on its southern borders.
The commander-in-chief of the Airborne Forces, Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov, after the end of the active phase of the maneuvers, revealed some details of the tasks assigned to the troops. According to him, during the check, the troops worked out the tactics of creating a rapid reaction military group in the Central Asian strategic direction. In addition, the troops were engaged in blocking the conditional enemy, which played the role of an armed bandit formation, in the area of the state border of the CSTO member state. As the commander of the Airborne Forces noted, all tasks were successfully completed.
Counteraction to armed bandit formations was practiced at the Chebarkulsky training ground in the Chelyabinsk region. The episode of the exercises, which took place on June 27, was personally observed by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. According to the legend of the exercises, sabotage groups of the imaginary enemy captured the settlement of Pashino. For his release, about 500 paratroopers and 20 armored vehicles were thrown into battle. This strike force was dropped from Il-76 military transport aircraft. Assistance to the main formation was provided by a tactical landing of motorized riflemen of the 41st combined arms army, landed by Mi-8 helicopters. The paratroopers and motorized riflemen were supported by artillery and front-line aviation. The conditionally captured settlement was successfully liberated.
It should be recalled that on June 21-27, it was not the first surprise check of the combat readiness of the troops. Since last year, such events have become a common and regular event in the life of the Russian armed forces. For example, the troops of the Central Military District are taking part in such an inspection for the second time this year: the first took place in February-March, the second a few days ago. At the same time, during the previous check, not only units of the Central Military District, but also the troops of the Western Military District, as well as the Northern and Baltic fleets, took part in the maneuvers.
The country's leadership has repeatedly noted that the practice of conducting surprise checks has shown its worth and demonstrates the real level of training of troops. For this reason, similar events will be held in the future. The continuation of this approach to the verification of troops has recently received another confirmation. On June 26, speaking in the Kremlin at a reception in honor of graduates of military universities, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the practice of surprise checks of troops will definitely continue. Peacekeeping units will also take part in these events, as it was during the completed check.
Particularly noteworthy are the events that, to some extent, became the basis for the legend of the teachings. From the scenario of the maneuvers, it follows that the command of the Russian armed forces sees certain risks in the plans of some foreign countries. According to reports, by the end of this year, the United States and its allies plan to withdraw almost the entire contingent of ISAF forces from Afghanistan. No more than 10,000 foreign soldiers and officers will remain in the country to help the Afghan military and counter terrorists. By the beginning of 2015, the number of NATO troops should be halved, and by 2017, official Washington plans to leave only the embassy guards in Afghanistan.
The military and political situation in Afghanistan is extremely difficult, which is why the withdrawal of ISAF is associated with serious risks. It is widely believed that soon after the withdrawal of foreign military forces from Afghanistan, Taliban militants may seize power, and the local army will not be able to resist it. Further events are still the subject of controversy, but now there is no reason for positive forecasts.
It was taking into account the possible negative development of events that the scenario of the passed inspection was drawn up. The troops of the Central Military District have successfully coped with the assigned combat training tasks. Currently, the units that participated in the check are returning to their locations. When the next surprise check begins and which units will take part in it, it will be announced without additional warning. Apparently, the next such event will take place over the next few months.
