MOSCOW, February 29. /TASS/. Russian paratroopers have arrived at a military base in the Indian city of Pune where they will take part in peacekeeping operation drills and humanitarian demining maneuvers, the press service of Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday.
"The joint exercise to drill humanitarian demining and peacekeeping operations will be held from March 1 to 8. The exercise involves troops from 18 countries", the ministry said.
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The ministry’s press service added that a contingent of Russia’s Airborne Forces is headed by Colonel Oleg Zubarev.
"During the exercise the Russian paratroopers will practice patrolling missions in potentially hazardous environments, protection of civilians in the simulated armed conflict zone, will upgrade their checkpoint duty skills, as well as will drill the protection and escort of motor convoys", the ministry said.
The Russian Airborne Forces disclosed their plans to take part in joint exercises with India in mid-January.
In November 2015, Russia and India held the joint Indra exercises that focused on drilling counterterrorism operations. In mid-December, joint Russia-India naval drills, Indra Navy, took place in the Bay of Bengal to practice the protection of surface ships.