Six countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) began large-scale command and staff exercises with live fire practices on Wednesday, an aide to the Russian Air Force commander said.

The drill would be held in four stages on territories of three CIS states, Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky was quoted by the Itar- Tass news agency as saying.

The first stage of the maneuvers will be held at Russia's northwestern Telemba range with the participation of air force and air defense units and the Russian Baltic Fleet and of Belarussian air defense.

The second stage will be held in the second half of August at the Ashuluk range in the southern Astrakhan region.

The exercises will involve aviation and air defense of Russia, Armenia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, Drobyshevsky said.

The third and fourth stages are scheduled for late August and early September at training ranges in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with the participation of air force and air defense units of the six CIS countries.

Drobyshevsky also said missile systems S-75. S-125. S-200. S- 300 would be used in a live fire practice.

Sukhoi and MiG fighters will drill strikes on aerial and ground targets. Taking part in the drill will be Su-24, Su-25, Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft.

Source: Xinhua