KIEV, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The joint American-Ukrainian military drills Rapid Trident 2019 kicked off in the Lviv region in western Ukraine, the press service of the Ukrainian ministry of defense reported on Monday.

The exercise will run until Sept. 28 with more than 3,000 Ukrainian military personnel. Some 500 military personnel from 13 NATO countries including the United States will join the drills.

A total of 600 vehicles and four Mil M-8 helicopters will be involved in the drills.

Rapid Trident drills have been held in Ukraine since 2006. The Rapid Trident 2015 exercises was largest in record with the participation of 18 countries.