On August 26, Russia began military drills near the Black Sea, mobilizing over 8,000 troops in an interservice exercise. During the drills, the Southern Military District’s Iskander-M crews practiced electronic missile launches and reloading procedures. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, the exercises were designed to simulate “a massive strike against the notional enemy’s command posts and other strategically important installations.” The exercises are expected to conclude on August 31.