ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 24, 2004 Tuesday 9:22 AM Eastern Time
Russian-Armenian joint military group begins exercises
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
The joint group of the Russian and Armenian Armed Forces began
exercises at the Marshal Bagramyan Training Center in Armavir, West
Armenia, on Tuesday. The joint group was formed within the framework
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Motorized infantry units, aviation and artillery will train
cooperation in a defensive operation. A reinforced motorized infantry
unit of Russia and servicemen of the Russian 102nd base in Armenia
are taking part in the drill.
“The exercises are another step towards strengthening
Russian-Armenian military cooperation,” drill commander, Armenian
Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mikhail Grigoryan said.
The exercises will start as a command-and-staff drill and end with
shooting on August 27.
The Russian 102nd base and border guards of the Russian Federal
Security Service are important components of Armenia’s security. The
5,000-strong 102nd base was opened in Armenia in line with interstate
agreements. It is subordinated to the Russian Group in Transcaucasia
of the North Caucasian Military District. The base has a MiG-29 squad
and S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems.