ZHURIHE, Aug. 18 -- Eight Russian MI-8MT helicopters landed at the Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia on Sunday night to participate in joint anti-terror drills scheduled for Aug. 24-29.

The aircraft fleet landed in sequence at about 8:30 p.m.

The night setting increased difficulties of taking off and landing for Russian pilots at the base, where surface lights are dim, said Su Yingshan, officer of the 38th group army of the People's Liberation Army.

"The smooth landings demonstrated the Russian pilots' outstanding flying skills," he said.

The eight helicopters will be preparing for missions involving reconnaissance and terrorism prevention. Russia has sent about 900 troops to join the drill.

The "Peace Mission 2014," a multinational drill under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization framework, will have three phases, including troops deployment, battle planning and simulated combat.