Paratroopers compete in military games in Russia

Russian paratroopers overcome obstacles during the "Paratrooper's platoon" military game at a Dubrovichi shooting range outside of Ryazan, some 170 kms south east of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015. The competitions called the International Army Games involve troops from Russia and several other nations. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) Russian paratroopers overcome obstacles during the "Paratrooper's platoon" military game at a Dubrovichi shooting range outside of Ryazan, some 170 kms south east of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015. The competitions called the International Army Games involve troops from Russia and several other nations. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

By Associated Press August 4, 2015 1 min read

RYAZAN, Russia (AP) – Paratroopers from Russia, China and several other nations have shown their skills at military competitions in western Russia.

The troops parachuted, overcame obstacles, shot their weapons and conducted races in combat vehicles at Dubrovichi shooting range in Ryazan region, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) southeast of Moscow.

The show was part of the International Army Games, competitions involving troops from Russia and several other nations at shooting ranges across Russia that began Saturday.

The competitions were marred by Sunday’s crash of a Russian military helicopter from an elite aerobatic squadron that went down while performing aerobatics in Dubrovichi, killing its pilot. A second pilot survived and there was no damage on the ground.