MOSCOW, September 20. /TASS/. Around 4,000 servicemen of a Russian base and 1,000 pieces of equipment are taking part in military exercises in South Ossetia, the press service of the Southern military district said on Tuesday.

"The servicemen of the Russian military base in the Southern military district have started the command and staff exercises in South Ossetia," the press service said.

The exercises will last until September 24. During the drills, the servicemen will train actions of units during an air attack of a simulated enemy, pass through contaminated areas on the ground in conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction and electronic countermeasures by the enemy.

The key goal of the drills is improving the practical skills of commanders and staff of the military base on controlling the units when on a mission in the mountainous and woody areas and on the flat grounds with the use of advanced automated control systems and new types of weapons.