MOSCOW (Sputnik) — More than 400 servicemen from 18 countries would take part in the competitions of the International Army Games 2017 held on the territory of Kazakhstan, press service of Russia's Central Military District said in a Tuesday statement.
"More than 400 servicemen from 18 countries will participate in the International Army Games that will kick off today in the southern Kazakhstan's Jambyl Region," the statement said.
International Army Games contests have been held annually at the initiative of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu since 2015. In 2017, the competitions started on Saturday and will last until August 12 in the territory of five nations.
Representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, China, Greece, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe will participate in the games' competitions held in the Asian nation.