Four trains and 15 Ilyushin Il-76 airplanes left Russia's Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk regions on May 21, carrying Armed Forces units that had taken part in recent routine military exercises in the regions, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a press release, seen by Interfax.
The units are returning to their permanent bases on orders issued by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
“Military hardware, weapons and materiel are being transported by rail, and the personnel and other supplies are being airlifted by Il-76 military-transport airplanes,” the ministry said.
On June 1, Russian Armed Forces units are expected to launch their summertime combat training at their permanent bases following the arrival of new conscripts, it said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the decision to order the Armed Forces units involved in military drills near Russia’s western border to return to their permanent bases had been made in order to prevent any speculation during the presidential polls in Ukraine.
