MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian Defense Ministry says it has launched a military exercise involving the launch of high-precision missiles. The war games are taking place amid the backdrop of violence in eastern Ukraine.

In a statement Monday, the ministry said the maneuvers of the Western Military District will continue through Thursday and will involve the deployment of Iskander surface-to-surface missiles. It said the Iskander missiles, which are capable of hitting targets 280 kilometers away, will be airlifted by heavy transport planes to the exercise’s area.

It said the maneuvers will also involve long-range bombers firing cruise missiles at land targets. The ministry didn’t specify the areas where the exercise will be held.

The maneuvers come amid the tensions in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russia insurgents have battled government troops for nearly two months.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.