In Pictures

Russia hosts the International Army Games 2016

The annual war games competition, a series of 23 Olympic-style events, began outside Moscow earlier this month.

Russia hosts army games — Russian crew members transport T-80 tanks on a pontoon bridge during the Open Water competition for pontoon bridge units in the city of Murom, Russia. [Maxim Zmeyev/Reuters]

The International Army Games 2016 kicked off just outside Moscow earlier this month, with more than 3,000 military personnel from 20 different countries.

The countries are showing off their military hardware and prowess in a series of Olympic-style competitions in both Russia and Kazakhstan, which began with a tank biathalon and are set to continue until August 13.

The Games include 23 field, air and marine-based events and feature 121 teams from Russia and 19 other countries.

Russian army games — Some 121 teams from 20 countries are competing in 23 military disciplines on different military grounds across Russia and Kazakhstan. [Maxim Shipenkov/EPA]

Russia war games — Kornet-D1 mobile anti-tank missile complex performs at the Ashuluk military polygon outside Astrakhan, Russia. [Maxim Shemetov/Reuters]

Russian war Games — Russian soldiers take part in the Open Water competition for pontoon bridges, part of the International Army Games 2016 in the town of Murom, Russia. [Maxim Shipenkov/EPA]