MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. The Russian Defense Ministry has notified the OSCE member-states and also China and Iran it has begun a surprise combat readiness check of the armed forces, the Defense Ministry’s press-service has said.

"In a gesture of good will we officially notified the OSCE member-states, and also China and Iran about the beginning of a surprise check," the Defense Ministry’s press-service quotes Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov as saying.

"The exercises are being carried out in strict compliance with all requirements of the Vienna document of 2011 on confidence and security building measures."

On instructions from Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu the foreign military attaches in Moscow were notified of the surprise combat readiness check, the ministry said.

The surprise testing of the Russian army’s combat readiness began at 07:00 Moscow time on Thursday on orders from President Vladimir Putin. It will last till August 31. Taking part in the check are forces of the Southern Military District, some military units of the central and western military districts and also the Northern Fleet, the Aerospace Force and airborne troops. The check is part of preparations for the strategic exercise Kavkaz-2016 due in September.