As part of the Caucasus-2008 exercise, troops of the North Caucasus Military District (NCMD) have begun a special counterterrorist operation, Andrey Bobrun, aide to the commander of the troops of NCMD, told Interfax-AVN on Monday [21 July].

"During the second stage of the exercise, which has begun, the joint group of troops will carry out a special counterterrorist operation," A. Bobrun said.

He said that under the scenario of the exercise international terrorist groups are trying to set up a number of bases and camps in mountainous areas of the North Caucasus to train armed gangs and destabilize the situation in Russia's south. For this purpose terrorists are trying to cross the state border of the RF and break into Russian territory. The main goal of the extremists is to capture several districts in the North Caucasus.

"With the aim of countering armed gangs on the territory of North Ossetia, near the Roki pass, a detachment of the Pskov Airborne Troops Division, having completed a multi-kilometre march, will work on issues relating to stopping an attempt by armed groups to enter Russian Federation territory and then chase, block and eliminate the terrorists in woodlands in mountainous terrain," A. Bobrun said.

He said that the commanders, headquarters and detachments will have to carry out tasks in unfamiliar areas with difficult terrain, at altitudes of over 2,500 m.

The Caucasus-2008 exercise began on 15 July. It is being held in Krasnodar and Stavropol territories, Astrakhan, Volgograd and Rostov regions, and the republics of North Ossetia - Alania, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Kabarda-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Chechnya.

For the purpose of checking smoothness of teamwork and coordination, combat readiness and marching proficiency, in the course of the exercise detachments will be tasked with changing exercise areas.

The detachments involved in the exercise have logistical stocks, fuel and ammunition, allowing the carrying out of training-combat tasks over an extended period of time far from places of permanent deployment. Rear and technical support points as well as fuel and lubricants stations have been set up along the routes used by military convoys.

A. Bobrun also said that in accordance with the plan of the exercise naval groups of the Caspian flotilla and the Novorossiysk Naval Base will deploy landing forces on the coasts on the Black and Caspian seas in the coming days. The Navy will also work on issues relating to stopping piracy, poaching and to the protection of shipping and industrial activity.

Detachments of a landing assault regiment of the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division of the NCMD and the Novorossiysk Combined Unit of the Airborne Troops will also have to carry out tasks relating to the detection, blocking and elimination of armed gangs at a range in Krasnodar Territory. [Passage omitted]

[Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported on 21 July that some 500 notional rebels who attempted to cross into Russia through the Roki and Mamisoni passes, were either killed or driven back into "the neighbouring country" by airborne troops from Pskov, at Roki, and by troops from the 58th Army of the NCMD, in coordination with servicemen from other agencies, at Mamisoni.]

[Also on 21 July Russian Defence Ministry-controlled Zvezda TV reported on the part of the drill involving the Caspian flotilla. About a minute-long report featured footage of armoured vehicles moving along the coast, hardware being loaded onto a landing craft. The report also showed armoured vehicles in the mountains, troops shooting from different weapons. (120812-120905 gmt)]

Originally published by Interfax-AVN military news agency website, Moscow, in Russian 0544 21 Jul 08; RIA Novosti news agency, Moscow, in Russian 1018 21 Jul 08; Zvezda TV, Moscow, in Russian 1200 21 Jul 08.