Chairman of the Officers of Russia Presidium Major General Sergei Lipovoi made the claims when speaking to the country’s state-run Tass Russian News Agency. He said that the “main aim of these surprise drills is to check the combat readiness of the country’s armed forces and its mobilisation abilities”. MG Lipovoi explained the missions occurred as a result of increased activity along Russia’s borders with the NATO coalition.

He added that “this is linked, of course, with NATO’s increased activity near the Russian borders, especially in the Baltic region and in Poland” as well as “the aggravation of the relations between the United States and Iran, and also with the events in Georgia, behind which the Americans stand, in my opinion”.

His comments were backed by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who – on the order of Vladimir Putin – said: “The whole military command and control bodies of the Central Military District, part of the troops of the Southern and Eastern Military Districts, separate units of the Airborne Troops, long-range and military transport aviation have been placed on alert.”

Russia says that over 50 combat readiness exercises were set to take part at 35 training grounds throughout the country.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump confirmed around 1,000 more troops are set to be sent to Poland to “focus on providing additional defence and deterrence capabilities”.

READ MORE: Russia dubs US nukes near border ‘new Cuban Missile Crisis’

Relations between the US and Iran, who Russia backs, have worsened in recent months amid threats issued from both countries.

Last week, Iran was condemned by Washington for shooting down a US drone.

Trump was set to carry out his own drone strike but eventually opted against it.

Iran said the drone shooting in the Gulf was a “firm response” to Washington.

Russia waded into the dispute claiming it would take action against the US if Trump issued sanctions on Iran.

Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov made the claims but stopped short of specifying exactly what the country would do.

He said US sanctions would aggravate tensions.

He added that instead the US should be seeking to hold dialogue with Tehran.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also had his say, claiming new sanctions imposed by the US on Iran were illegal.

Mr Ryabkov said “the situation is on the brink of war”, according to Russian news agency RIA, after Iran shot down a US drone which was flying in international airspace near the coast of Iran, in the Hormuz Strait.