MOSCOW, May 5 (RIA Novosti) – Crimean tank crews will for the first time participate in a tank biathlon contest, the press service of the Russian Southern Military District told reporters Monday.
"It is the first time that representatives of the tank units stationed in Crimea will compete in the tank biathlon. Three tank crews, consisting of former Ukrainian soldiers who received Russian citizenship, arrived from Crimea to Volgograd Region to take part in the Southern Military District competitions," according to the press service.
Some 15 tank crews from the regions within the Southern Military District will wage a contest to determine whose technique is the best.
"The winners will be eligible to represent our region in the army competitions, which will be held at the training center Alabino in the Moscow region in June 2014," the press service added.
The tank biathlon is a military sport with some similarities to the skiing relay of the same name, which provides a three-round circuit of 20 kilometers.
Unlike classic biathlon, crews of the military vehicles hit targets imitating tanks and low-flying helicopters, at distances from 900 to 2,200 meters.
Thirteen countries have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Tank Biathlon 2014, and the teams of China and Kuwait will be performing in their own vehicles, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
