France, Sept. 21 -- Russian and Chinese armed forces have started joint military exercises in southern Russia alongside troops from Armenia, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar and Pakistan. Neighbouring Ukraine is flexing its military muscle as well - together with the US.

The "Caucasus 2020" drills deploy wheeled vehicles and light weaponry to be flown to out by China's latest transport aircraft.

In a massive display with hundreds of tanks, armoured personnel carriers, fighter jets and a flotilla of warships, the exercises will continue until 26 September and focus on defensive tactics, encirclement and battlefield control and command, according toa statementby the Russian Defence Ministry.

Some 80,000 troops are expected to be involved in the ma...