Vadym Skibitsky, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, spoke about this at an online briefing in Ukrinform on the topic: “Strategic Command and Staff Training of the Russian Armed Forces “Caucasus 2020”.

He noted that the relevant training will involve the governing bodies, associations, formations and parts of the Southern, Western and Central Military Districts, the Air and Space Forces, the Navy, the Airborne Forces, the Rosguard, and other Russian military formations.

According to the representative of the GIA, contingents of the armed forces of 17 partner countries have also been invited to participate in the Caucasus 2020 exercise. It is estimated that:

• 100-120 thousand people;
• 3,000 armored combat vehicles (of which at least 500 tanks);
• 300 aircraft;
• 250 helicopters;
• 50 ships;
• up to 5 submarines.

He adds that this year's exercise "Caucasus" is planned to be held in the depths of the country at the landfills "Prudboy", "Kapustin Yar", "Ashuluk". In particular, some episodes of the exercises will be held in the border areas of Russia with Ukraine, in particular at the landfills "Kadamovsky", "Kuzminsky", as well as in occupied Crimea.

Skibitsky said that at least seven groups of troops (forces) and a strategic reserve would be created in Russia's Southern Military District.

“It is likely that the demonstration phase of strategic command and staff training will take the form of several bilateral exercises in the Don, Crimea, and Vladikavkaz operational areas. Inter-naval training is possible in the Black Sea”, - Skibitsky said.

According to Skibitsky, the Russian leadership will use the Caucasus 2020 exercise to demonstrate Russia's military power to Ukraine and European countries.

"Training should be seen as an element of pressure on our country. At this time, Russia's information campaign will intensify, including with the use of Ukrainian information space. The main goal will be to intimidate and impose at all levels the idea of ​​irreversibility of Russian demands for the occupied territories and the Kremlin's ability to defend its interests by force", - said a spokesman for the Defense Ministry's intelligence service.

He said that the analysis of the security environment around Ukraine showed targeted measures by Russia to increase combat capabilities near Ukraine's borders, and the militarization of the occupied Crimean peninsula exacerbated the military threat to Ukraine's national security.

According to Vadym Skibitsky, in this regard, there is a clear interaction between the Main Intelligence Directorate, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and the Joint Forces Command on the exchange of information. Based on the results of the "Caucasus 2020" will prepare a relevant analysis and proposals to neutralize threats from Russia.

In addition, it is noted that intelligence officers pay special attention to checking the readiness of an integrated group of troops. It consists of regular troops, local armed groups, private military companies, civilian and non-governmental organizations, which are united under a single command and act on a single plan to perform tasks in enemy territory.

"The Russian Federation is constantly improving the methods and ways of using such an integrated group in combat conditions in eastern Ukraine, Syria and Libya. "The strategic command and staff exercise "Caucasus 2020" will be the next stage in improving the training of the Russian aggressor", - Skibitsky concluded.

What is known

• According to the Intelligence Directorate, an interspecies group of forces was trained in the Black Sea on January 5-9, based on the inter-naval naval group of the Black Sea and Northern Fleets.
• February 11-13 - an operational mobilization meeting of the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces was held under the leadership of the Minister of Defense, General Sergei Shoigu, and an operational field trip to the Southern Military District was carried out.
• In addition, a series of special exercises on comprehensive support, which are planned for July-August, has been identified as an element of preparatory activities for the Caucasus 2020 exercise.
• The active phase of command and staff exercises of the Russian Armed Forces "Caucasus 2020" will take place in late September.