MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. The joint Russian-Indian cross-branch exercise Indra 2026 has kicked off in the Chelyabinsk Region and the Russian Far East, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"The joint Russian-Indian cross-branch exercise Indra 2026 has begun in the Chelyabinsk Region and the Far East. Units of the ground forces of the two countries, warships of the Russian and Indian Navy, as well as aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces are participating in the maneuvers," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry noted that the crews of the Russian corvette Aldar Tsydenzhapov and the Indian Navy frigate INS Sahyadri, which arrived in Vladivostok several days ago, participated in the opening ceremony of the maritime part of the Indra 2026 joint exercise at the Pacific Fleet's main base.

The ministry specified that the active phase of the land part of the exercise will continue until October 23. The core of the Russian military contingent consists of servicemen from the 90th Guards Tank Division of the Central Military District. At the training ground, the military contingents will practice unit command and control and conduct a joint operation to destroy illegal armed groups.

The practical phase of the maritime part of the exercise will take place in the Sea of Japan on October 16-17. The ships in the joint detachment will practice tactical maneuvering, conduct artillery fire exercises against sea and air targets, conduct an inspection operation, and free a vessel simulated to have been seized by terrorists.

One of the episodes of the naval phase will include practicing joint actions to repel attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned boats.

In addition, as part of the exercise, crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Indian Air Force, operating joint Su-30SM tactical aircraft, will practice combating small, low-flying targets, destroying short-and medium-range airborne weapons carriers, and practicing maneuverable air combat at medium and low altitudes.

The ministry added that crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Indian Air Force, using Mi-8 army aviation helicopters, will land special forces units and practice search and rescue of crews in distress in remote areas.