This is the moment Russian troops take part in training exercises in tough conditions to hone their combat readiness skills.

The exercises took place at the Kadamovsky training ground in the Russian region of Rostov Oblast.

Troops of the 150th motorised rifle division of the combined arms formation of the Southern Military District (SMD) took part in the tests in tanks and tracked vehicles to test their combat readiness in tough terrain with conditions of limited visibility.

In a statement, the Russian MoD said: “Before the exercises, military personnel repeated the safety requirements for firing, the tactical and technical characteristics of combat vehicles and weapons, the theoretical foundations of driving, and the procedure for dealing with emergency situations.”

During practical exercises, the crews of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles and T-72B3 tanks worked out the route through obstacles that included ditches, slopes, and bridges.

The MoD said: “The purpose of the exercises was to improve the training of the driving staff. Over 1,000 servicemen of the Southern Military District take part in the tests, about 100 units of military equipment were involved.”

Rostov Oblast borders the Ukraine, and around 100,000 Russian troops have been amassed around the border for some months amid fears the Kremlin will invade.

Russian troops are also carrying out drills in Belarus ahead of the two countries’ Union Resolve 2022 exercises from 10th to 20th February.