Moscow, Sep 6 (IANS): Russian defence forces have begun a massive exercise to test combat readiness and cooperation between different branches of the countrys military.

"The exercises aim to check the level of readiness of the military command bodies to control interservice groupings of forces, commanders and staffs will gain experience in planning, preparation and conducting of combat operations," Sputnik news cited the Russian Ministry of Defence as saying.

The drills will also test new military equipment in field conditions, including the country's top-of-the-line combat helicopters, fighter jets and battlefield tanks, it added.

The exercise of over 12,500 servicemen including Navy, Airborne and Aerospace units began here on September 5. 

The exercises will involve Crimea and also feature cooperative efforts of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Sea Flotilla.

It comes after Moscow accused Kiev of sending saboteurs into the Crimean Peninsula to carry out terror attacks in August.

The war games, code-named 'Caucasus 2016', will be carried out over six days till September 10.