Chinese Forces Near Moscow: China, Russia Commence Security Drills

Joint Russian-Chinese anti-terrorist exercises involving the National Guard of Russia (Rosgvardiya) and the Chinese People's Armed Police Force (PAP) kicked off in the Moscow Region on Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The large-scale special tactical exercise is being held on July 3-14 July in Russia's Moscow and Smolensk regions. The PAP Snow Leopard and Falcon commando units and Rosgvardiya's Vityaz unit are taking part in the training, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported from the site of events on Sunday.

"Neighborly relations between our countries are a strategic line between the Chinese and Russian sides. Today, we are beginning a new stage of cooperation. We are glad to have friendly relations with our partner and are ready to carry out common tasks," the chief of Rosgvardiya's general staff, Sergey Chenchik, said.

Chenchik's Chinese counterpart said that the two countries' interior forces are holding their third joint exercise and are working to improve mutual understanding and improving security in the scenario of a regional terrorist threat.

The units will use equipment such as mortar batteries, Mi-8 transport helicopters and armored vehicles.

The National Guard of Russia was formed in April and combined a range of internal security forces into one federal body tasked with securing borders, countering terrorism and organized crime, protecting public order, guarding state facilities and carrying out gun control. China's People's Armed Police is a law enforcement organization responsible for civilian policing.