DUSHANBE. Aug 15 (Interfax-AVN) - The 191st motorized rifle regiment of the 201st Russian motorized rifle division has started the active stage of a command post exercise (CPX) in Tajikistan, a source in the division headquarters told Interfax- Military News Agency on Thursday.
"The exercise takes place at the Mumirak proving range in southern Tajikistan and involves up to 50 armored vehicles, up to 30 artillery systems and up to 300 servicemen," the source said.
Participants in the exercise practice counteraction to terrorist and extremist groups in case the latter break through to Tajikistan. The CPX is supervised by the division's commander Colonel Yuri Perminov.
"The 201st division guarantees the maintenance of stability in the region and is largely responsible for security of the southern CIS borders. We hold negotiations with the Tajik party on the legal backing of Russia's military presence. The talks have been in progress for a long time, but we have not reached an agreement yet. Nevertheless, we are optimistic," Russian Ad Interim in Tajikistan Levon Dzhagaryan told reporters.
Alongside with the war games of the 191st regiment, Tajik law-enforcement agencies are holding an exercise near the town of Regar west of Dushanbe. Interaction has been established between the Russian and Tajik participants in the exercises.