MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian paratroopers are expected to travel to Egypt in October to take part in joint military exercises to practice the destruction of illegal armed groups in desert, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.
"For the first time in history a Russian paratrooper unit with its own weaponry and equipment is planning to leave for Africa to participate in a joint international exercise. According to the plan, Russian servicemen will leave for the Arab Republic of Egypt in October," the ministry said in a statement.
The goal of the drills for Egyptian and Russian forces is to determine joint strategies of localization and destruction of a simulated enemy's forces in desert.
Observers from more than 30 countries are attending the drills.