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International military drills 'Slavic Brotherhood' start in Serbia

The press service of the Serbian Defense Ministry said that "212 servicemen of the Russian Airborne Troops, 56 Belarusian servicemen and 450 Serbian servicemen will take part in tactical exercise"

BELGRADE, November 3. /TASS/. The Serbian-Russian-Belarussian military exercises dubbed Slavic Brotherhood-2016 have kicked off in Serbia.

As the press office of Russia’s Defense Ministry told TASS, the drills will be held in three stages: the preparatory, basic and final phases.

Russian, Serbian and Belarusian special operations forces will hold the first joint drills at the Oresac and Kovin practice ranges on Thursday as part of the stage of combat cohesion. During this stage, the paratroopers from the three countries will practice firing and drill tactical measures of special operations forces in the zone of responsibility after landing.

The active phase will be held on November 6-9. Although the drills have just started, the troops from the three countries have immediately found mutual understanding, the press office of Russia’s Defense Ministry said, adding that "paratroopers from the three countries understand each other without words."

According to data of Russia’s Defense Ministry, the drills’ concluding stage will begin on November 10 and last through November 13 to sum up the results and analyze the maneuvers.

The Serbian side has also prepared a cultural program for the Russian and Belarusian participants. In addition, joint concerts of military ensembles will be held, the press office of Russia’s Defense Ministry said.

The drills involve about 250 paratroopers from Russia, and also over 50 Belarusian servicemen. Serbia’s Defense Ministry has informed that 450 Serbian servicemen are taking part in the drills.

The drills Slavic Brotherhood-2016 follow up cooperation between Russian paratroopers and a special Serbian brigade started by the military exercises SREM-2014 also held on the territory of Serbia. In 2015, the drills were held on the territory of Russia.