Russia's Black Sea Fleet Army Corps conducts large exercise in Crimea...

via TASS

SEVASTOPOL, February 13. /TASS/. More than 500 troops of the Black Sea Fleet’s ground force have taken part in a tactical exercise on the Crimean Peninsula, the fleet’s press-service told the media on Wednesday.

"Mechanized infantry units of a separate coast defense brigade of the Black Sea Fleet’s army corps have held company level tactical exercises at a combat training site in Crimea. Involved in it were more than 500 troops and about 100 pieces of military equipment, such as T-72B3 main battle tanks, BTR-80 armored personnel carriers and army aviation of the Southern Military District," the news release runs.

According to the press-service, the troops enjoying air support practiced offensive and defensive operations, organization and camouflaging of positions, mine-planting, ambushes, reconnaissance operations and the landing of mobile groups in the enemy’s rear.

One of the main tasks of the exercise was to test the commanders’ skills and ability to independently make decisions and take improvised action depending on the current battlefield situation.

"The army corps’ command rated highly the performance of commanders who displayed initiative and resourcefulness in coping with the tasks set to them," the press-service said.

Interesting.  Is this a warning to Ukraine or to NATO/US?  Regardless its just part of the process in Europe these days.  We saw a spike in the number of exercises that NATO runs so why should we be surprised that the favor is returned.

On a side note.  I would pay good money for a down and dirty explanation of how to tell the different models of Russian MBTs apart.  As things stand I have to wait to be told and its somewhat irritating.  I got the difference between a T-64, T-72 and T-80 down, but add in all the sub variants and I'm lost like a duck.