January 16, 2012 - 19:09 AMT
Russia to launch military exercises in Armenia?

Russia has launched large-scale preparations for Kavkaz-2012 military maneuvers, according to Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

The exercises will cover only the territory of Southern Russia, but also that of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Armenia, with Kavkaz-2012 becoming a major event in 2012.

The plan is currently being drafted out, with military preparations to involve development of training tasks in face of a possible war against Iran, as well as other possible conflicts in Caspian and South Caucasus region.

It is noteworthy that the maneuvers’ will be aimed at development of modern military techniques with new automated control systems.

According to Director of the Center of Military Forecasting Anatoly Tsyganok, preparations are already under way amid escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf.