Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine start anti-terrorism drills

MOSCOW -- Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan have started joint counter-terrorism drills in the southern Russian region of Rostov, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said Thursday.

Law enforcement agencies and security services from the three countries are participating in the exercises, with tasks to test mechanisms of organizing and coordinating efforts of preventing and suppressing terror attacks on transport and public venues.

"They are also practicing measures to maintain the public order in areas facing an upsurge in extremist activity," an FSB spokesman told reporters.

Following the drills, the heads of the services and agencies will discuss how to improve the information sharing system during counter-terrorism operations.

They will also discuss ways to free hostages and to neutralize terrorists, including leaders and members of gangs operating in member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and other regions, as well as to deal with the aftermath of terror attacks which involve toxic agents.

The FSB stressed the drills would not affect the daily life of local residents. The drills will end on September 4.