Russian and Tajik troops kicked off joint military drills in Tajikistan, Russia’s Defense Ministry stated on Monday, Paralel.Az reports citing TASS.

"The opening ceremony took place at the Kharb-Maidon mountain and desert practice range in the Khatlon Region of Tajikistan. The joint bilateral exercise is running on April 15-18, 2024," the ministry said in a statement.

The Russian military contingent involved in the drills largely comprises personnel of the 201st military base in Tajikistan, in particular, mountain, motor rifle, tank, artillery and reconnaissance units and crews of Mi-24 attack helicopters and Mi-8MTV5-1 transport/combat helicopters, it said.

The drills will also involve radiation, chemical and biological protection specialists, UAV operators and mobile electronic warfare groups, the ministry reported.