More than 500 Black Sea Fleet troops take part in tactical drills in Crimea

MOSCOW, March 11. /TASS/. Russia’s force grouping in Crimea has been increased and ensures protection of the peninsula’s territory, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu told a meeting of the State Duma’s Defense Committee on Monday.

"The force grouping in Crimea has been reinforced, this ensures protection of the peninsula’s territory and Russia’s interests in the Black Sea," Shoigu said.

The defense minister recalled that an operations command had been set up in the far maritime zone, which ensures control of warships performing tasks in the Mediterranean Sea.

"Now all military units are permanent readiness units," he stressed.