Russia Holds Snap Military Drill

Russia is conducting snap military exercises in its eastern regions, the latest in a series the country's armed forces have been holding after President Vladimir Putin earlier this year ordered units to be able to assemble on short notice for rapid deployment.

Russia's Eastern Military District received orders to deploy military aircraft to areas in the Pacific Ocean on September 11, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The eastern district is in the process of redeploying its military aircraft to areas 400 to 4,000 kilometers from their permanent bases.

More than 100 warplanes and helicopters are involved in the exercise, flying to points in Russian far eastern areas, including Anadyr, the Kurile Islands, and the island of Sakhalin.

Russia's Pacific Fleet is also taking part in the drill.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax