Russia, Belarus begin air defense military exercise

MOSCOW, September 16 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia and Belarus will engage
over 12 thousand men, 100 tanks and over a hundred aircraft and
helicopters in a weeklong joint exercise that will begin on Friday in
Russia.
The Union Shield-2011 exercise aims at "streamlining interaction
between the Russian and Belarussian military in fulfilling the task of
ensuring security of the Union State," the press service of the Russian
defense ministry said.
The air defense forces will train destroying helicopters and
low-flying aircraft at the Gorokhovetsky range in the Western military
district.
Besides, air defense troops of both countries will train at Ashuluk
and Kapustin Yar firing ranges in Astrakhan region. They will use S-300
and Buk-M2 air defense complexes.
"The conditions of fire at flying targets will be close to combat to
the maximum," spokesman of troops commander of the Western military
district Andrei Bobrun told Tass.