Political analysts treat exercises of Russian soldiers in Armenia as routine ones

The large-scale exercises at the military base in Armenia are a planned event of the summer training schedule of the Russian Army, but not an indication of their preparation for an aggravation in the Karabakh conflict zone, experts believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the tactical exercises at the Russian military base in Armenia, held on July 23-28 at the "Kamkhud" and "Alagyaz" training ranges, involve over 3000 militaries and about 500 units of military, including tanks, artillery and aviation.

Pavel Felgengauer, a military observer for the "Novaya Gazeta" newspaper, has noted that the equipment used during the exercises has long been in the arsenal of the Russian Army, except for drones.

Alexander Perendjiev, a member of the Expert Council of Russian Veterans, agrees that the weapons used in the exercises are not new, but "efficient," and selected specifically for combating in the mountains.

The exercises involving 3000 soldiers are quite large-scaled, the expert said.

Mr Felgengauer is sure that the exercises in Armenia have to do with the proximity of NATO troops. The situation in the region is tense, and the exercises "can only add fuel to the fire," he said. However, in his opinion, the exercises will not lead to a conflict involving Russian troops.

Mr Perendjiev agrees that it is unlikely that the exercises will heat the situation in the region, as they are of defensive nature.