YEKATERINBURG. Aug 6 (Interfax) - Russian and Uzbek special operations forces simulated a joint operation to free a populated locality considered seized by terrorists according to the scenario of a military exercise in Uzbekistan's Surkhandarya region on the border with Afghanistan, the press service for Russia's Central Military District said on Friday.
"During the practical phase of the exercise at the Termez range, special operations units practiced sealing off a populated locality and chasing imaginary terrorist groups who broke out of the encirclement, eliminating them and directing air strikes. Armored hardware used during the drills included BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Mil Mi-35 attack helicopters and standard small arms," the press service said.
As reported, a joint Russian-Uzbek military exercise began in Uzbekistan's Surkhandarya region on August 2. The maneuvers involve more than 1,500 personnel, including the Central Military District's peacekeeping units and special operations brigades, and around 200 pieces of military hardware, among them attack aircraft from Russia's Kant airbase in Kyrgyzstan, which is the air force component of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and helps defend airspace.
The drills are taking place against the backdrop of an escalation in neighboring Afghanistan.