Russia conducts intensive maneuvers in Irkutsk region

The Russian Strategic Missile Forces are conducting planned exercises involving the Yars mobile ground-based missile systems in the Irkutsk region of southeastern Siberia, local media reported on Wednesday.

"Service members of the Irkutsk missile unit are executing tasks and directives, including intensive maneuvering actions along combat patrol routes," RIA Novosti quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying.

According to the ministry, the crews of the Yars mobile ground-based missile systems (PGRK) are practicing a variety of operational tasks, such as marching over distances of up to 100 km, dispersing units with field position changes, engineering field equipment, organizing camouflage, and establishing combat security measures.

"The strategic missile troops are also addressing the challenges posed by sabotage and reconnaissance groups," said the ministry.

 As part of these maneuvers, missile units and subunits will practice dispersing in forested areas to enhance the concealment of the Yars PGRK systems.

Support units will remove special equipment from zones of simulated chemical contamination, while counter-sabotage formations will maneuver to secure more advantageous positions relative to potential sabotage and reconnaissance groups, the ministry added.