Ukraine launched joint military exercises with the United States and other NATO allies as tensions with Russia rise on Monday. 

The Kyiv-Washington annual Rapid Trident military exercises, which will be taking place in western Ukrainian until October 1, involve around 6,000 soldiers from 15 countries, according to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense.

Brigadier General Vladyslav Klochkov, the head of the exercises, said the drills were "an important step towards Ukraine's European integration."

"The Ukrainian military, which has been holding back Russian aggression for eight years, will share its unique combat experience with its international colleagues," Klochkov added.

Ukraine and its Western allies continuously make allegations that Russia is sending troops and arms to support the separatists. Moscow denied such allegations.

These drills started a week after the Russian-Belarusian military exercises, which involved some 200,000 soldiers. These exercises constituted the two countries' biggest drill in recent years.