Russia to Conduct Series of Exercises at Afghan Border

In August and September, Russia and Central Asian republics will hold a series of joint military exercises at the Afghan border, reports the Izvestia newspaper.

It is noted that the Russian side will involve motorized rifle and mountain units, air mobile subdivisions, special forces, aviation and artillery, as well as air defense forces. The air groups from the Russian military bases in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the S-300 air defense systems that are part of the 201st military base will also be engaged.

During the events, the primary focus will be on developing operations to eliminate illegal armed formations and countering destabilization in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Following the series of exercises, joint drills called "Peace Mission - 2021" will be held.

At the beginning of August, the exercises will take place in Uzbekistan's Surkhandarya region. The operations will be conducted at the Termez training ground, which is near the Afghan border. Russian and Uzbek military units will "fight" against hypothetical illegal formations while also developing reconnaissance measures and sieges in mountainous conditions.

Starting in September 2021, special exercises named "Border - 2021" will take place based on Kyrgyzstan's Edelweiss training center, which are part of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces established by the CSTO member states in 2001.

Currently, there is a confrontation in Afghanistan between government forces and Taliban militants (an organization banned in Russia), with the latter having seized significant territory in rural areas and launched attacks on major cities. The intensification of tensions comes amid the withdrawal of US troops from the country.