Russia’s 201st military base in Tajikistan holds anti-terror drills

Lead

Russia's 201st military base in Tajikistan has been conducting a series of military exercises, including anti-terror drills and combat training, according to reports from TASS, citing the press service of the Central Military District. The exercises, which took place in late July and early August, involved personnel practicing responses to simulated enemy attacks, countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and honing combat and medical skills.

Coverage Comparison

TASS reported on three distinct exercises at the 201st base. One report, dated July 20, described anti-terror units thwarting a simulated enemy attempt to infiltrate military facilities and seize a weapons depot, involving about 30 personnel. Another report, dated August 3, detailed a similar anti-terror drill where a simulated enemy's reconnaissance group attempted to break through a checkpoint, also involving about 30 personnel. A third report, dated August 6, covered a combat training exercise where grenade launcher crews destroyed simulated enemy's lightly armored vehicles, with about 60 service members participating.

All three reports attributed information to the Central Military District's press service, providing a consistent official account of the exercises. The tone across the reports was neutral, focusing on the training activities without loaded language.

Key Claims

• Anti-terror drills: According to TASS, anti-terror units from the 201st base repelled a simulated enemy's attack on military facilities. The scenario included a simulated enemy's reconnaissance group attempting to break through a checkpoint, with personnel practicing tactical shooting and first aid procedures. About 30 personnel were involved in this drill, as reported on August 3.

• Thwarted infiltration attempt: Another drill, reported on July 20, involved thwarting a simulated enemy attempt to infiltrate military facilities and seize a weapons depot. The exercise included countering UAVs, with personnel using small arms, drone guns, and electronic warfare systems. Crews of the Borisoglebsk-2 systems blocked the drones' control channels, causing forced landings.

• Combat training: On August 6, TASS reported that soldiers from grenade launcher crews participated in a combat training exercise at the Lyaur mountain training range. They practiced tactical maneuvers, firing RPG-7V portable anti-tank grenade launchers at simulated lightly armored vehicles from ranges of 200 to 500 meters, and also honed tactical medical skills, including applying tourniquets and bandages and evacuating simulated casualties.

• Weapons used: Across the exercises, personnel used AK-74M and AK-12 Kalashnikov assault rifles, as well as RPG-7V grenade launchers, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, and Kalashnikov tank machine guns.

• Base details: The 201st Russian military base, stationed in Tajikistan, is described as Russia's largest military facility outside its borders. Located in Dushanbe and Bokhtar, it includes motorized rifle, tank, artillery, reconnaissance, air defense, NBC defense troops, and communications units, as stated in TASS reports.