Russian defence has conducted large scale military exercises in 12 regions of the country, Russia's defence ministry said on Thursday.
More than 30 missile regiments of Russia's Strategic Missile Force took part in the extensive drill, Defense Ministry's spokesman for the military branch, Colonel Igor Yegorov was quoted as saying by the TASS News agency.
"According to the drill scenario, simulated enemy's sabotage groups planted mines on the combat patrolling route sections and used toxic agents in the field. Engineer troops, radiological, chemical and biological defence forces, as well as anti-sabotage units have been engaged in the exercises," Yegorov said adding that troops were using the RKhm-4 chemical reconnaissance vehicles and drones as part of the manoeuvres.
Various reports have noted that Russia has plans to launch and test fire their new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile by the year 2017. That is expected to replace R-36 missiles designed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, hitherto known as the largest ICBM.
The drills involving deadly missiles in Russia come just a week after Moscow launched nuclear combat exercises in the international waters of the arctic. The exercises conducted in waters underneath the North Pole were widely viewed to be a response to the news that NATO would reinforce its eastern European border with Russia, News Week reported.
This also comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin's announced on Thursday that a ceasefire negotiation was agreed between pro-Moscow separatists and the Kiev troops in Eastern Ukraine.
