MOSCOW. July 27 (Interfax) - Over 8,000 troops are taking part in special exercise for engineering forces as part of preparations for the Zapad (West) 2021 joint strategic exercise, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
"The exercise is chiefly designed to inspect preparedness of engineering troops and endorse new methods of performing duties, as well as practically utilize the experience in training engineering units gained in the Syrian Arab Republic," the ministry said.
The exercise taking place at 12 ranges in the Western Military District in the Nizhny Novgorod, Vladimir, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Voronezh, and Moscow regions will continue until July 30. Some of the drills will also be held on the Oka River.
The exercise started on Tuesday and will involve over 8,000 troops and about 1,500 items of military hardware.
"Military engineers will use Uran-6 mine disposal robots and Uran-14 firefighting systems, as well as latest remote minelaying systems, an UMZ-K multipurpose minelayer, water supply and purification installations," it said.
"Pontoon units will practice building all types of river crossings, including an assault troop crossing using PTS-2, a ferry crossing using PMM-2M, and bridge crossings using PP-2005 pontoon sets," it said.