Russian troops deployed in breakaway Abkhazia launched three-day military exercises on June 23, the Russian news agency, Itar-Tass, reported.

Drills are taking place at Nagvalou firing range in Ochamchire district with involvement of battle tanks, armored vehicles and air defense systems, a spokesman for the Russia’s North Caucasus Military District, Andrey Borbun, told Itar-Tass.

He said that the troops would practice in carrying out military operations in mountainous areas, “in search and liquidation of terrorist groups” and “in perfection of interoperability” between land forces deployed in Abkhazia, Russian Black Sea Fleet, Abkhazia-based border guard troops of Russian Federal Security Service and local Abkhaz military.

The scenario of military exercises also includes repelling enemy’s artillery and air attacks, as well as attack from sea, the Russian military official was quoted.