YEKATERINBURG. April 27 (Interfax) - A scheduled counterterrorism exercise involving motorized infantry units of the 201st Russian military base has been held in Tajikistan, Russia's Central Military District said on Wednesday.
"According to the scenario of the exercise, an illegal armed formation on motorized vehicles attempted to infiltrate the premises of a military facility through a checkpoint. Having taken a circular defense, the checkpoint patrol did not allow the militants to break into the territory of the unit," the military district's press service said in a statement.
"At the same time, a company tactical group for countering terrorism was raised on alert. Having received the alarm about the attack, servicemen on BTR-82A armored personnel carriers and on foot moved to the place of the attack and carried out tasks to block the bandit group, encircling the facility," the press service said.
During the exercise, the support units also checked the air for the presence of toxic substances and demined the approaches to the territory of the military unit.
"The Russian servicemen used a Takhion unmanned aerial vehicle system to control the seizure and five cover groups while eliminating a simulated illegal armed formation. This allowed, in the shortest time, to neutralize the 'terrorists' who attacked the checkpoint," the military district added.
According to the military, during the exercise, the command of the Russian military base in Tajikistan tested the forces and means of the units, in particular, their weapons, equipment, the skills to handle special equipment for demining and detection of dangerous objects, as well as reconnaissance, communication and surveillance equipment.
"The speed of response and decision-making, and the cohesion of counterterrorism units were given special attention," the press service said.