The Russian Ministry of Defence has announced the withdrawal of troops from exercises in Crimea.

Russian troops of the Southern Military District are returning from exercises in the Crimea to their permanent deployment points in the republics of Dagestan and North Ossetia-Alania.

Troops of the Western Military District are also returning to their bases in the region of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.

Major General Igor Konashenkov, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD), said: “In the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, a complex of large-scale measures for the combat training of troops and forces continues. Almost all military districts, fleets and airborne troops take part in them.

“As part of our Union State forces in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, the joint Russian-Belarusian exercise Union Courage 2022 is still being held.

“The troops of the Eastern Military District and the Airborne Troops participating in this exercise, in cooperation with the Belarusian Armed Forces, are practising repelling attacks against the Union State during a defensive operation.

“At the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground, on February 19, a live fire-drill stage is planned. During this event, the marines brigade, together with formations and military units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, with the support of operational-tactical and army aviation, will practise tasks of conducting a defensive battle.

“Media representatives and Military officials at the embassies of foreign states in the Republic of Belarus were invited to the practical actions as observers.”

Major General Konashenkov continued: “A series of naval exercises involving surface ships, submarines and naval aviation is being conducted in operationally important areas of the world’s oceans and seas adjacent to Russian territory.

“Exercises are continuing with formations and military units at other training grounds in the territory of the Russian Federation.

“As the combat training exercises are completed, the troops, as always, will march in combined formations to the points of permanent deployment. The units of the Southern and Western military districts, having completed their tasks, have already begun loading equipment onto rail and road transport and will begin moving to their military garrisons today.”