The militaries of Russia and Mongoliafinished the main phase of joint exercises near the Asian nations borders with Russia and China, Moscow said Monday.Russias Defense Ministry said the drills dubbed Selenga-2024 began last week Monday at a military base near the town of Choibalsan, around 560 kilometers (347.9 miles) east of the capitalUlaanbaatar.The drills mark the first time Mongolia has hosted a joint military exercise involving a foreign army.
It is also the first time both countries have deployed tactical airborne troops during such exercises, the Russian Defense Ministry said.Around 700 servicemen and 200 pieces of military equipment were involved in Selenga-2024 including drones, MiG-29 and Su-25 warplanes, Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters and Grad multiple rocket launchers.Mondays main phase of the ongoing exercises simulated a joint Russian-Mongolian group of troops liberating a settlement taken by illegal armed groups, according to the Russian military.The drills follow U.S.
Secretary of State Antony Blinkens visit to Mongolia last month, during which he praised the deepening ties between the U.S.
and the landlocked democracy.Mongolia has historical ties with Russia and maintains a critical trading relationship with China.