Russia Stages Anti-Terrorist Exercise in the Sky

Russian paratroopers descend to the ground during a training exercise in the village of Nikinci, west from Belgrade, Nov. 14, 2014.



Russian soldiers parachuted into open fields in western Serbia on Friday as part of an unprecedented joint military drill that has stirred controversy in the European Union candidate-country given the West-Russia standoff over Ukraine.



The one-day anti-terrorist exercise, around 50 kilometers from Serbia's border with NATO-member Croatia, illustrated the balancing-act Belgrade faces; safeguarding relations with its big-power ally while pursuing closer integration with Europe at a time of deep West-Russia tension.



See our previous Photo Gallery:

Explore Central Yerevan's Food Market

Russian troops stand after a training exercise in the village of Nikinci, west from Belgrade.

Russian soldiers ride on an all-terrain vehicle during a training exercise in the village of Nikinci, west from Belgrade.

A Russian BMD armored personnel carrier descends to the ground during a training exercise in the village of Nikinci, west from Belgrade.

Serbian paratroopers descend to the ground holding Serbian and Russian (L) national flags during a training exercise in the village of Nikinci, west from Belgrade.

A Russian paratrooper descends to the ground during a training exercise in the village of Nikinci, west from Belgrade.

A Russian IL-76 transport aircraft drops a BMD armored personnel carrier during a training exercise in the village of Nikinci, west from Belgrade.