DHAKA: Russia said on Thursday it was stepping up field training for tank, artillery and infantry units in three regions next to the Ukrainian border in a powerful display of military might.

The move came as thousands of paratroopers also began exercises close to Ukraine on Thursday, while Russian gunmen patrol Crimea ahead of a referendum on it joining Russia on Sunday.

The armed forces are ‘increasing the intensity of field training exercises’, the defence ministry said in a statement, saying the exercises were being carried out in the Rostov, Belgorod and Kursk regions bordering Ukraine, as well as one non-border region.

‘The main aim... is a multi-faceted check of the units’ cohesiveness followed by the performance of battle training assignments in unfamiliar terrain and untested firing ranges,’ the ministry said, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1910 HRS, MAR 13, 2014