Russian troops land in Pakistan to participate in ‘friendship’ drills

A contingent of Russian Army has arrived in Pakistan to participate in joint training exercise — ‘DRUHZBA-5’.

“#Russian Federation Special Forces’ contingent arrived in Pakistan for 2 weeks long joint exercise DRUZHBA 5,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a tweet on Thursday.

According to he military’s media wing, the exercise is aimed at sharing both armies’ experiences in counter-terrorism domain.

“Sky diving and hostage rescue operations will be highlights of exercise #DRUZHBA,” it added.

The joint exercises are seen as another step in growing military-to-military cooperation, indicating a steady growth in the relationship between the two countries, whose ties had been marred by Cold War rivalry for decades.

Pak-Russia joint military exercises Druzhba (friendship) are held every year. The exercises started in 2016. These exercises include aspects of counter-terrorism and special operations.

In September this year, a contingent of the Pakistan armed forces participated in the opening ceremony of multinational military exercises titled ‘Kavkaz 2020’ in the Russian city of Astrakhan.

Pakistan had also participated in the similar series of exercises called 'Tsentr 2019', in Russia last year. The wargames were joined by troops from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and other countries.