Nearly 900 Russian servicemen have left for China to participate in the international anti-terrorist exercise Peace Mission 2014 alongside member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Eastern Military District spokesman Alexander Gordeyev told journalists.

“The solemn ceremony of departure of the Eastern Military District units to China was held in the city of Borzya, Zabaikalsky Territory. It is expected that the trains with equipment and personnel of the Russian contingent participating in the drills will cross the Russian-Chinese border on August 13. A total of 900 servicemen and about 100 units of weapons will be shipped via railway transport,” Godeyev said.

The official added that four Su-25 jets and eight Mi-8MT helicopters would fly to China in the coming days.

The Peace Mission 2014 exercise will be held from August 24 to 29 at the Zhurihe training base in the city of Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region. Military delegations from five SCO member states – Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan ¬– will participate in the exercises. In total, more than 7,000 personnel from SCO states will take part.

Source: RIA Novosti

Photo: Su-25 Jet (Photo Credit: Russian Air Force)