Exercises with the participation of 1,000 Russian soldiers have started at the Termez training ground in Uzbekistan. Tu-22M3 bombers and Su-25 stormtroopers transferred from the Kyrgyz base will take part. The maneuvers take place near the border with Afghanistan, where the Taliban offensive is fighting against government forces.
In a statement on Thursday, the Russian Ministry of Defense informed that a total of 2,500 soldiers from Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are taking part in the exercises. These exercises are continued with three-way maneuvers in Tajikistan, at the Charb-Majdon training ground, 20 km from the border with Afghanistan. They will last until August 10.
As reported by the Ministry of Defense in Moscow, the purpose of the maneuvers is to check the readiness to conduct combat operations in the field of repelling armed groups “that have penetrated the territory of the allied state”.
Earlier, the Russian Central Military District announced the transfer of a group of Su-25 stormtroopers from the Kyrgyz base Kant, which will take part in the exercises. Tu-22M3 bombers are also taking part in the maneuvers.
In the background, the Taliban offensive
Russia maintains its largest foreign military base in Tajikistan. Russian forces are deployed in two cities – Dushanbe and Bochtara south of the Tajik capital, about 150 km from Afghanistan’s Kunduz. The base includes mechanized, armored, artillery, reconnaissance units, as well as air defense and communication forces.
Maneuvers with the participation of the Russian armed forces in the Afghan border are taking place while the Taliban offensive against government forces is underway in Afghanistan. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu recently announced that Russia would provide Tajikistan with military support in the event of any threat from Afghanistan.
Main photo source: Ministry of Defense of Russia