Russia to carry out 308 counter-terrorism drills this year

BAIKONUR, September 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's National Antiterrorist Committee will conduct 308 military exercises in the country by the end of this year, the head of the committee said Thursday.

"Each operational headquarters in Russian regions will hold two operational-tactical and two command-and-staff exercises," said Vladimir Bulavin, who is also deputy head of the Federal Security Service.

The exercises will be carried out on the sites of industrial, nuclear, health, and education facilities, places of public gathering, and at transport and energy facilities.

Special forces from Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are currently engaged in joint counter-terrorism exercises at the Baikonur space center, which Russia rents from Kazakhstan. The exercises, being held for the seventh time, will be concluded on September 28.