Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- An opening ceremony of a joint exercise with military contingents of Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan was held in the Republic of Tajikistan in Khatlon region at the Harb-Maidon training ground.

The Deputy Commander of the Central Military District (CVD) of Russia Lieutenant General Yevgeny Poplavsky, the Deputy Minister of Defense, Major General of Tajikistan Abdukhoshim Gulomzoda, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Colonel of Uzbekistan Farrukh Ziyabaev made a welcoming speech at the event.

“Today we are opening a joint exercise with units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the Republics of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The main goal of the exercise is to strengthen the military community and close interaction between the armed forces of our states, to confirm the high level of training of troops and strong morale, ”said Deputy Commander of the Central Military District, Lieutenant General Yevgeny Poplavsky.

He said that in the modern world, there is an increase in military threats, the situation is becoming more tense and unpredictable. By conducting a joint exercise, we will check the accumulated combat experience, test the optimal forms of the use of troops and develop common approaches to the conduct of military operations.

“In difficult physical, geographical and climatic conditions, we will work out in practice new methods of conducting combat operations, taking into account modern experience. We will explore the possibility of new types of equipment and weapons. I am sure that the joint exercise will strengthen the combat potential of our countries, rally the personnel of the contingents to guarantee the protection of our states from aggressive encroachments, ”said Deputy Commander of the Central Military District, Lieutenant General Yevgeny Poplavsky.

The opening ceremony began with the general formation of the military personnel. The national anthems of the participating countries were performed by military bands. On the parade ground of the field camp, national flags were solemnly raised, and the participants in the exercise marched in a single formation.

The joint exercise at the Harb-Maidon training ground will take place from 5 to 10 August. From the armed forces of Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, more than 2.5 thousand servicemen and about 500 units of weapons and military equipment will be involved.

The core of the Russian military contingent will be the units of the 201st military base, including mountain motorized rifle, tank, artillery units, as well as special purpose units and specialists from the electronic warfare and NBC protection units of the Central Military District (CVD). In total, over 1.8 thousand servicemen and up to 420 units of weapons and military equipment were involved in the exercise from the Russian side.