Georgia — An American M1A2 Abrams tank fired at distant targets as it sped through the green hills of a military base that until 2001 was controlled by Russian troops.
The symbolic deployment of the Army's largest weapon system to this former Soviet republic was part of Exercise Noble Partner which has involved hundreds of American, British and Georgian troops and runs through Thursday.
Designed to bring the Georgian military closer to NATO, the drill comes at a time of growing tension between the Western alliance and the Kremlin.
The Vaziani Training Area where the drills took place is just 45 miles from the Russian border — and the joint exercises infuriated Moscow.
"We regard this ongoing 'exploration' of Georgia's territory by NATO forces as a provocative step aimed at escalating the military and political situation in the South Caucasus," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
It's not the first time Georgia has caused friction between the White House and the Kremlin. Following several wars, the two breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia had their independence formally recognized by Russia. The U.S. still sees them as belonging to its ally Georgia.
In 2008, Russian and Georgian forces fought over South Ossetia. The conflict ended with a cease-fire agreement, but Russian troops continue to be stationed there.
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