The Northern Fleet's Arctic detached motor rifle brigade, part of the land and coastal defense troops, are holding raiding exercises with snowmobiles, Interfax reports.

"The first exercise was held on a training ground not far from the village of Alakurtti," the Northern Fleet press service reports.

During the drills, service personnel were pulled by snowmobiles while on skis. They also learned warfare tactics and practiced firing their service weapons while on the move.

Last year, the Northern Fleet's Arctic brigade was equipped with some 30 A-1 snowmobiles.

"These snowmobiles handle about like civilian models. But the main advantage is higher engine torque, according to the motor rifled brigade personnel who have been using the vehicles. This allows them to tow both the skiers and several loaded sleds," Northern Fleet headquarters report.