Military drill held in Russian military base in Armenia

Zvezda TV, Moscow
14 May 07

[Presenter] A regular military training has taken place on a Russian
military base in Armenia. The command was satisfied with the
firing-range practice. Our special correspondent Andrey Kovtunenko
was watching the aimed fire.

[Correspondent] The final inspection for the winter period started for
the motor-rifle regiment with the lining-up. Weapons and military
ammunition are ready for the military use. The next stage is a
lining-up training. [Servicemen shown marching and singing]

Another motor-rifle regiment is passing the fire-range practice 120 km
away from Yerevan near Gyumri at the height of over 2,500 m.

[Video shows an officer saying "Eyes right! Attention! Commanders of
the crew, report on receiving the weapons!"]

The arms have been received. The order "All to the cars!" is
given. The crews are taking their places. Firing moving targets from
the infantry combat vehicle is a challenging task.

[An unidentified serviceman] The first, the second, this is the guard
tower speaking, forward!]

Not all the shells are reaching the targets at the first try, but the
second shot corrects the mistake. The targets are destroyed. Firing
out of the BMP [infantry combat vehicle] is one of the main exercises
of the firing-range practice.

The infantry is practising on their own. The shot from the grenade
launcher has almost deafened the shooter. Not only the accuracy but
also good nerves are important here.

[An unidentified serviceman commands] Target three under the tower!
Fire!

The grenade projectile has accurately hit the target. The disguised
BMPs of a hypothetical enemy have been disabled.

While some soldiers are on the military range, others are passing
physical training tests. The cross-country race is being held just on
the territory of the 102nd Russian military base.

The construction of the fortress began in 1827 and continued over 12
years. Tsar Nikolay I himself has laid a stone at the
foundation. There are the headquarters of the 102nd Russian military
base here now.

The only aim of the Russian base in Armenia is to prevent undesirable
developments of the events in the region. It is not a threaten to any
state.

[Andrey Kholzakov, commander of the 102 military base, captioned] We
have BMP-1, BMP-2 and armoured carrier vehicles on the inventory list
of motor-rifle regiments. It is not a secret for anyone. According to
the agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian
Federation, [changes tack] the threats have always existed in the
southern region. There are countries here which are part of the NATO
bloc, they have certain interests involving Russia. And Russia is
taking its firm position.

[Correspondent] Commanders say that on the whole, they are satisfied
with the results of the military drill. The evaluation given to the
regiment for the firing-range practice is pretty high. The next
inspection, for the summer period this time, will be held in autumn.