YEKATERINBURG. Aug 3 (Interfax) - Mil Mi-8 military-transport helicopters and Mi-24 attack helicopters of Russia's Central Military District have been relocated from the Novosibirsk region to the Gissar airfield in Tajikistan to participate in a joint Russian-Tajik-Uzbek military exercise due to take place in the Khatlon region from August 5 to August 10, the press service for the Central Military District said on Tuesday.
"An [Antonov] An-124-100 Ruslan heavy-lift transport plane delivered the four helicopters from Russia. During the main stage of the joint exercise, army air force crews will back a tactical landing operation and will provide aerial support to advancing forces as they eliminate an illegal armed formation," the press service said.
Prior to being airlifted, the helicopters were partly disassembled and were assembled again upon arrival at their destination, it said. The helicopters have been tested upon arrival in Tajikistan.
As reported earlier, more than 2,500 personnel and around 500 weapons and pieces of military hardware will take part in a joint military exercise to be held by Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan near the border with Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Russia has increased its contingent to the exercise from 1,000 to 1,800 servicemen and has doubled the amount of military hardware taking part in the maneuvers. The core of the Russian contingent to the exercise will be made up of units from the 201st military base (part of the Central Military District).
The drills will take place against the backdrop of an escalation in neighboring Afghanistan.