The security forces of Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan began a series of joint counter-terrorism drills in the southern Russia on Thursday. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said that law enforcement agencies and security services from 3 countries are participating in the exercises, with tasks to test coordination mechanisms to prevent and suppress terror attacks against transportation and public venues. Following the drills, the heads of the services and agencies will discuss how to improve information sharing during counter-terrorism operations. They will also discuss ways to rescue hostages and neutralize terrorists who are operating in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and other regions, and ways to deal with the aftermath of terror attacks. FSB said the drills will end on September 4 and will not affect the daily life of local residents.