article_snippet: In another sign Vladimir Putin has a firm hand on the tiller, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Vladimir Putin had ordered Russia's Northern Fleet to be placed on full combat alert from Monday morning for snap checks, Tass reported.
article_snippet: snap checks are intended to test Russia's Northern Fleet's capacity to ensure Russia's military security in the Arctic, Tass said.
article_snippet: Also on alert are Russia's Western Military District and certain airborne units, with some 38,000 military personnel involved in total.
highlights_snippet: Official: Vladimir Putin has put Russia's Northern Fleet on alert to check Russia's Northern Fleet capacity .
  