DUSHANBE, September 20, 2012, Asia-Plus — Russian troops started tactical military exercises at the Lohur military test field near Dushanbe yesterday.
Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports that according to Russia”s Central Military District, the 201st Motorized Rifle Division”s mountain infantry troops are involved in the maneuvers that and are scheduled to last until the weekend.
Some 800 troops are focusing on practicing camouflage and reinforcing positions in the mountains, crossing minefields, and special combat tasks using mountain equipment.
Russia”s 201st Division and its approximately 7,500 troops use three Tajik bases, one near Dushanbe and two in the southern cities of Kulob and Qurghon Teppa.
It is the largest deployment of Russian troops abroad. Dushanbe and Moscow are currently negotiating a possible extension of the 201st Division”s deployment in Tajikistan beyond 2014.
