KYIV. July 16 (Interfax-AVN) - The first Ukrainian-Italian military exercise entitled Skifia 2002 will start at the Shiroky Lan joint-arms proving range subordinate to the Southern operational command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Wednesday, an official of the Defense Ministry press service told Interfax- Military News Agency.
"The parties to the maneuvers will be represented by an aeromobile unit of the 1st aeromobile division reporting to Ukraine's Southern operational command and a company of the 5th Al Alamein paratrooper battalion," the official said.
The total number of servicemen from the two countries taking part in the exercise amounts to 240 people.
The official stressed that the training would have three stages and focus on peacekeeping issues. "In the course of the exercises Ukrainian and Italian servicemen will study the armament and combat equipment, types of parachutes and ways of landing," the official noted.
Moreover, the paratroopers are to analyze interaction aspects and hold a tactical exercise with landing.
The joint maneuvers will end on July 24, the official added.