Large-caliber NSV machine guns have entered service at the Russian military base in Tajikistan. This was announced on Wednesday, September 8, by the Central Military District (CVO).
"A batch of 12.7-mm large-caliber machine guns of the NSV "Utes" has entered service with the 201st Russian military base in Tajikistan to strengthen its combat capabilities, " the military noted
The weapons are designed to destroy group manpower, lightly armored targets, fortified firing points and enemy air assets. The machine gun can be installed on a universal tripod machine and in embrasures, firing structures, and can also be used for firing at ground and air targets simultaneously.
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is the largest Russian military facility outside of its borders. It is located in Dushanbe and Bokhtar.
During the August exercises on the territory of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, they tested the possibility of creating a strong grouping of Russian combat and transport aircraft on the border with Afghanistan in a matter of hours. Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters of the Army Aviation Brigade of the Central Military District (CVO) were delivered to the An-124 maneuver area.
On August 31, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu called the situation in Afghanistan critical and thanked Russian pilots and medics for evacuating citizens of the Russian Federation and other countries from Kabul. On August 25, the Russian Defense Ministry, on behalf of President Vladimir Putin, organized the evacuation of Russians from Afghanistan. The correspondent of Izvestia reported that three cargo and passenger aircraft of the Il-76 military transport aviation were made double-decker for the evacuation of Russian citizens. Also, a passenger Il-62 was used to take citizens out of Kabul.
In early September, former Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ordzhonikidze said that large-scale hostilities in the Central Asian region are unlikely, but it is possible that militant groups will cross the border, including hiding behind refugee flows.
The situation in Afghanistan escalated in May 2021 after the start of the withdrawal of American troops who had been in the country since 2001. Members of the radical movement launched an offensive against major cities of the country and entered Kabul on August 15, declaring the end of the war. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani left the country on the same day.
