Russia has increased the number of its military contingent participating in trilateral military exercise in Tajikistan, according to press center of Russia’s Central Military District (CMD).
“The number of military contingent has increased to 1,800 servicemen and the number of military and special equipment has been doubled (increased to 420). The strength of the military personnel and the number of military and special equipment have been increased due to subunits of the Russian military base deployed in Tajikistan,” the CMD press center says.
In all, the exercise will involve more than 2,500 military personnel and about 500 military and special equipment.
Recall, Tajikistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan will hold joint military maneuvers at the Harbmadon training ground in the Tajik southern province of Khatlon near the Tajik-Afghan border from August 5-10 amid increasing security concerns in Central Asian nations over Taliban offensives against government troops in northern Afghanistan.
The commander of Russia's Central Military District, Alexander Lapin, told reporters on July 19 that during the exercise, they will polish joint military efforts against illegal armed formations that intervene into the territory of an ally country.
The CMD's press service said last month that personnel from Russia's military base deployed in Tajikistan, mountainous vehicular troops, tank and artillery units, as well as the CND's special units will take part in the maneuvers.