Russia: Caspian Flotilla shows off full combat readiness in flash military drills

The Russian Caspian Flotilla showed off its full combat readiness after an unannounced inspection by the Central Military District in the Caspian Sea, Friday. About 40 warships and auxiliary vessels with 3,000 servicemen and 120 weapon units on board travelled from permanent bases in the cities of Astrakhan and Makhachkala to training areas in the Caspian Sea. According to the Russian Navy Coastal Troops Deputy Chief Dmitri Gnezdilov, ships involved in the demonstration included the Russian missile ships 'Uglich,' the 'Grad Sviyazhsk,' the 'Veliki Ustyug' and the 'Dagestan.' "After leaving the Astrakhan and Makhachkala bases, the ships began executing control tests, including the practice of tactical operations. The spot-check by the Central Military District began on September 7 and lasts until September 12. About 95,000 soldiers, more than 7,000 units of weaponry and military equipment and about 170 aircraft are involved in the drills.