The Russian Defense Ministry kicked off its large-scale week-long Caucasus 2020 military exercise today, which is expected to focus on combating cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The drills, led by Russian Chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, will take place at several firing ranges and airfields in the southern part of the country, as well as in the Black and Caspian Seas.
This year’s drill includes the participation of a number of countries, including China, Belarus, Iran, Pakistan, Armenia and Indonesia.
“This is a good opportunity to practice large-scale exercises in a peacetime environment and to boost cooperation and mutual understanding between the soldiers of our military contingents,” said Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Nikolay Pankov.