MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. The personal staff of a Russian military base of the Southern Military District (SMD) and servicemen of the Abkhazian Defense Ministry started joint drills during which they will train maneuver defense skills on the shore and in mountainous terrain, the SMD press service reported on Thursday.

"More than 2,000 servicemen from a SMD military base are taking part in the drills, along with more than 400 military vehicles, including Ka-52 Alligator helicopters and Grad multiple rocket launchers," the report says.

According to the press service, the servicemen of the two countries will cooperate to repel "enemy" attacks and block and destroy it.

The joint Russian-Abkhazian group will be supported by the Black Sea Fleet surface force and the strike aviation of the fourth Air and Air Defense Forces Army. The drills are being carried out at the Gudauta, Tsabal and Nagvalou Ranges in Abkhazia.