DUSHANBE, January 23, Asia-Plus  - Pavel Konev, an assistant to the commander of the Russian military base in Tajikistan, told Asia-Plus that a four-day military exercise was launched at the Lohour training grounds, some 20 kilometers southwest of Dushanbe, on January 21.   

According to him, the exercise, involving some 800 servicemen, artillery, tanks, combat helicopters and assault aircraft, includes simulated combat maneuvers and a special combat operation against illegal militant groups.   

The cold weather, when temperatures sometimes drop to - 20 Cesium at night, makes holding of the drill difficult.  “In this connection, the command has taken additional measures to avoid possible cases of frostbite among servicemen,” the assistant said.