Largest airborne military exercises since Sov.Union begin in central Russia

The largest airborne military exercises since the collapse of the Soviet Union have kicked off in central Russia, an airborne troops spokesman said on Tuesday.

The exercises, to be held in the Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Ivanovo regions until August 28, will feature over 4,000 servicemen and 300 hardware items, Col. Alexander Cherednik said.

The exercises will include airborne assault landings, assault river-crossings and the use of automated command and control systems.