Russia Rolls Out the Tanks in Annual International War Games
Sunday marked the start of Russia's annual International Army Games, an all-out competition of military prowess.
This year's war games will feature teams from 32 countries taking part in a series of competitive events like military police firing lines, field kitchen cook-offs and engineering contests.
The games are taking place outside Moscow as part of the Army-2020 International Military and Technical Forum.
The war games got off to a rolling start with a race of Soviet T-34 tanks, one of the most famous tank models of the World War II era.
Here's a look at the tanks rolling into action:
This year's war games will feature teams from 32 countries taking part in a series of competitive events like military police firing lines, field kitchen cook-offs and engineering contests.
The games are taking place outside Moscow as part of the Army-2020 International Military and Technical Forum.
The war games got off to a rolling start with a race of Soviet T-34 tanks, one of the most famous tank models of the World War II era.
Here's a look at the tanks rolling into action:
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/60/519629.jpg)
This year's war games run from Aug. 23 to Sept. 5.
Sofiya Sandurskaya / Moskva News Agency
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/0f/5196411.jpg)
The Russian Defense Ministry sent invitations to more than 90 militaries around the world to participate in the Games.
Sofiya Sandurskaya / Moskva News Agency
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/ed/519612.jpg)
Nineteen countries, including past winners Belarus, Kazakhstan, China and Russia, are taking part in this year's tank biathlon.
Sofiya Sandurskaya / Moskva News Agency
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/4a/519625.jpg)
On Aug. 29, crews are set to take part in a show of the much more modern T-80BVM tanks.
Sofiya Sandurskaya / Moskva News Agency
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/05/519626.jpg)
This year's event is held near Patriot Park, a sprawling military theme park and the site of the newly constructed Armed Forces Cathedral.
Sofiya Sandurskaya / Moskva News Agency
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/7b/519613.jpg)
On your mark, get set, go.
Sofiya Sandurskaya / Moskva News Agency
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/5d/519636.jpg)
While the war games are held in sportsmanlike spirit, participating countries use them as an opportunity to show off their best military vehicles and hardware.
Sofiya Sandurskaya / Moskva News Agency