Troops from Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan wrapped up their drills intended to simulate a joint response to potential security threats coming from Afghanistan, AP reported on Wednesday. 

The drills began last week involved 2,500 Russian, Tajik and Uzbek troops and about 500 military vehicles.

According to AP report, the drills that were held at Harb-Maidon firing range about 20 kilometers north of the Tajik border with Afghanistan, saw the troops practice action against invading militants. As part of the exercise, Russian Su-25 attack jets struck mock targets imitating militant vehicles. 

Quoted by AP, the Russian military said the maneuvers took place “against the background of the destabilization of the situation in neighboring Afghanistan, in order to work out the issues of repelling possible threats and practical interaction to ensure security and maintain stability in the Central Asian region.”

The Russian military said that Russian troops in Tajikistan practiced using new weapons during the drills, including new sniper rifles and flame throwers.

Russia has pledged to offer military assistance to its ally and other ex-Soviet Central Asian nations if they face incursions of militants from Afghanistan, AP reported. Three Central Asian nations — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan — are members of the Moscow-dominated security pact of several ex-Soviet nations, the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

The drills in Tajikistan followed last week’s exercise in Uzbekistan that involved 1,500 Russian and Uzbek troops and 200 military vehicles. As part of the maneuvers, four Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bombers flew from their base in western Russia to strike mock militant camps at the Termez firing range in Uzbekistan near the border with Afghanistan. 

This comes amidst an increase in violence in various parts of Afghanistan, particularly northern provinces.