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Russian Troops of CIS Security Force Hold Drill in Dushanbe
The Russian battalion from the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) collective rapid reaction force began Monday a 10-day exercise near the Tajik capital of Dushanbe on Tuesday morning, said Interfax news agency.
The purpose of the exercise held at the Lyaur training ground, 40 kilometers southwest of Dushanbe is to rehearse coordination and interaction in autonomous combat missions in mountains and deserts, military sources in Tajikistan were cited as saying.
They said that the Russian battalion is the first to be formed on a voluntary basis specifically for service in Central Asia. Given its special purpose, the anti-terrorist formation is reinforced with tanks, artillery, air-defense equipment and other special capabilities.
Commander of Russia's 201st infantry division stationed in Tajikistan, Maj. Gen. Valentin Orlov, is in overall command of the ongoing war game, said the sources.
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