Russia starts construction of military control center

Russia on Monday started the construction of a high-tech command and control center to oversee the military.

"Today, in accordance with the presidential decree, we are beginning construction of the National Defense Center," Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters.

The minister, who laid the symbolic cornerstone of the new building located in Moscow, said that the construction of the center will be completed this year.

The center is aimed to serve as a round-the-clock situation hub designed for coordination of Russia's military activity, including its nuclear missiles and special forces units, the authorities said when first announcing it last year.

The center would provide sound and integrated proposals for the country's leadership to respond to crises in real time, Shoigu has said earlier.

The facility will also monitor the status of the Russian military in peacetime, the defense ministry said, adding that the center will be operational for the next 20-25 years.