Russia completed joint military exercises with troops from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on August 10 as the Taliban gained control of much of northern Afghanistan, which borders Moscow's Central Asian allies. The war games began last week and involved about 2,500 Russian, Tajik, and Uzbek troops at a training ground in Tajikistan about 20 kilometers from the Afghan border.
Russian, Tajik, And Uzbek Troops Wrap Up Drills Near Afghan Border
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A military helicopter flies during the joint Russian, Tajik, and Uzbek drills at Tajikistan's Harb-Maidon firing range on August 10.
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Tanks and troops mass at the Harb-Maidon training ground. The Russian (left to right), Tajik, and Uzbek flags are on display.
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Uzbek troops at the exercises with their counterparts from Russia and Tajikistan.
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Tanks from Tajikistan on the move during the drills.
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Soldiers from Tajikistan march during the drills.
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Russian Mi-24 helicopter gunships take part in the exercises.
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An estimated 2,500 servicemen (including 1,800 Russian servicemen, as seen here) with around 500 pieces of military hardware took part in the exercises, which ran from August 5 to August 10.
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A Russian soldier aims his rifle.
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Tajik military hardware in use.
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Russian soldiers and hardware.
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Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo (center) and Aleksandr Lapin (second right), commander of Russia's Central Military District, observe the joint exercises.
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A traditional dance group performs for the troops.
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Soldiers march in face masks.
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Uzbek armored personnel carriers on the move during the drills.
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Soldiers raise the flags of Tajikistan (left) and Russia on August 10.
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Across the border from the Tajik exercise grounds, Taliban militants have captured huge swaths of Afghanistan since U.S.-led international troops began their formal withdrawal in May from a 19-year war, leaving most of the responsibility for defending the country to Afghan national troops.