Russia announces completion of exercises on border with Ukraine: troops are returning to their home stations

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu has announced that the troops of the Southern and Western military districts would begin to return from the military lines to the permanent stations from April 23, - the Russian RBC writes.

"I believe that the objectives of the surprise check have been fully achieved. The troops have demonstrated the ability to provide reliable defense for the country. In this regard, I made a decision to complete verification activities in the Southern and Western military districts", - Shoygu said at a meeting in the Crimea.

According to him, the Russian Armed Forces "respond adequately to all changes in the situation near the Russian borders".

According to him, actions on defense of defensive coastal area were worked out in the Crimea during a surprise check, Bal and Bastion coastal missile systems, Orion unmanned aerial vehicles, Raptor patrol boats, as well as "other newest and most promising pieces of armament", were involved.

As reported by OstroV, more than 10 thousand soldiers, 1200 units of weapons and military equipment, as well as over 40 warships, were participating in the exercises of the Russian Armed Forces, taking place in the occupied Crimea.