Moscow, September 19 (KCNA) -- Russia and Belarus started joint military maneuvers, codenamed "Federation Shield-2011", in Russia on September 16.

The training is involving 12 000 personnel from the two countries and about 50 warplanes, including multi-purpose fighter bomber "Su-34" and helicopter gunship "Ka-52".

The Defense Ministry of Russia said the training was aimed to check the performance of the defense system common to the two countries for their military security.