The Union Shield 2015, a joint military exercise by Russian and Belarusian forces, is underway from September 10 to September 16 at training ranges in Russia’s Western Military District.
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© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo
Units of the Russian Baltic Fleet are taking part in the drills at military fields of the Kaliningrad Region and in the Baltic Sea.
Above: The "Mordovia" small hover-borne amphibious ship and a BTR-80 during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: The "Mordovia" small hover-borne amphibious ship and a BTR-80 during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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During the drills, Russian and Belarusian troops will hold a joint counter-offensive.
Above: Troops of the Belarusian Armed Forces at field headquarters during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: Troops of the Belarusian Armed Forces at field headquarters during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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The active stage of the Union Shield 2015 exercise kicked off on Monday at training fields in the Leningrad and Pskov Regions.
Above: A Mi-24 helicopter of the Belarusian Air Force firing missiles during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: A Mi-24 helicopter of the Belarusian Air Force firing missiles during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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The Union Shield 2015 involves over 8,000 Russian servicemen and nearly 400 pieces of military hardware, including 100 tanks and 80 aircraft.
Above: Su-25 assault fighters of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: Su-25 assault fighters of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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The Russian side is represented by forces of the Western Military District.
Above: BTR-80 armored personnel carriers during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: BTR-80 armored personnel carriers during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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Some 20 warships, speedboats and support vessels of the Baltic Fleet are involved in the drills.
Above: Servicemen loading ammunition into a Su-25 assault fighter of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: Servicemen loading ammunition into a Su-25 assault fighter of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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The naval force comprised of three corvettes, mine-hunting ships, small anti-submarine ships, missile-launching vessels, and guided-missile boats.
Above: Su-25 assault fighters of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: Su-25 assault fighters of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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© Sputnik / Aleksei Danichev
Nearly 1,300 Belarussian troops are taking part in the Union Shield 2015.
Above: A training range during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: A training range during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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Crews of the army, fighter and assault aviation will conduct live firing in the Leningrad Region.
Above: A serviceman walking by a Su-25 of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: A serviceman walking by a Su-25 of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo
A delegation of the Serbian Armed Forces arrived to Russia to observe the drills.
Above: BTR-80 armored personnel carriers during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: BTR-80 armored personnel carriers during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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© Sputnik / Aleksei Danichev
The Union Shield exercise was held for the first time from June 17 to June 25, 2006, in Belarus.
Above: Launching a UAV during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: Launching a UAV during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
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© Sputnik / Igor Russak
Since 2009, the joint exercise has been held biennially – in Belarus as the West exercises, and in Russia as the Union Shield.
Above: Mi-24 helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
Above: Mi-24 helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force during the Union Shield 2015 military drills.
