Russia holds missile drills near western borderOctober 20, 2016 - 16:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian military has conducted drills involving state-of-the art missiles near the nation's western border, amid tensions in relations with the West, the Associated Press reports. The Defense Ministry said Thursday, October 20 that the drills involved Iskander-M missiles. The war games were held at a shooting range near the city of Luga, about 100 kilometers east of the border with Estonia. According to the military, the exercise featured the deployment of missiles and preparations for firing them, but didn't involve actual launches. Iskander has a range of up to 500 kilometers and high precision, allowing it to target facilities in several NATO member nations neighboring Russia. It can be fitted with a conventional or a nuclear warhead. Moscow has complained strongly against the deployment of NATO's forces near Russia's borders and promised to take countermeasures. Earlier this month, the deployment of Iskander missiles to the westernmost Kaliningrad region has worried Russia's neighbors. The Russian military said the move was part of regular training. The military has increased the number and the scale of its drills amid Russia-West tensions fueled by the Ukrainian crisis and the Syrian war, AP says. In another exercise, the military's Strategic Missile Forces had a 100-ton truck-mounted intercontinental ballistic missile cross a river in western Russia. The drills involving the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was intended to practice its mobility. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | IDBank, Dalma team up for Caucasian Deer Reintroduction Program IDBank has joined Dalma Garden Mall’s Green Challenge to support the Caucasian red deer reintroduction project. Through Ucom’s support the 12th Sunchild Festival concludes On May 24-28, with the support of Ucom, the 12th international environmental festival Sunchild took place in Yerevan. U.S., Turkey emphasize importance of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal Jake Sullivan and Akif Cagatay Kilic have discussed the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia coach expects good football in Slovenia friendly The Armenian national team has left for Ljubljana a friendly match against Slovenia on June 4. |