Kyrgyzstan, Russia kick off joint military drills near Issyk-Kul VIDEO

Kyrgyzstan and Russia have launched a joint tactical military exercise in Balykchy, on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, as part of ongoing bilateral defence cooperation.

The opening ceremony was attended by Colonel Kozhoshev, Head of the Main Directorate for Daily Activities of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyz Ministry of Defence; Colonel Lakeev, senior representative of the Russian military contingent and deputy commander of the 201st Military Base; and Kukeeva, head of the Balykchy mayor’s office.

Up to 500 servicemen are participating in the drills, with around 100 units of weapons and military equipment deployed. The exercise also involves combat FPV drones and army aviation.

The joint tactical exercise will run from August 11 to 17 under a bilateral cooperation framework between the defence ministries of Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

The drills are intended to strengthen coordination between the two countries’ armed forces and improve their ability to conduct joint tactical operations.

By Vafa Guliyeva