Participants in CSTO “Interaction-2026”, “Poisk-2026” and “Echelon-2026” Exercises Arrive in the Russian Federation

Participants in the command-and-staff exercise involving the Collective Rapid Reaction Force of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), “Interaction- 2026”, and the special exercises “Poisk-2026” and “Echelon-2026” have completed their redeployment to the Russian Federation.

Contingents of the CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) have arrived in the exercise areas from the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan.

In the Russian Federation, exercises bringing together the training of various components of the CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) are being conducted at the Chebarkulsky training range of the Central Military District:

– the command-and-staff exercise involving the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force (CRRF), “Interaction- 2026”, is aimed at practising the preparation and conduct of a joint operation to localise a cross-border armed conflict;

– during the special exercise “Poisk-2026”, participants are practising the organisation and conduct of reconnaissance in support of the CSTO CRRF;

– the special exercise “Echelon-2026” involves practising the organisation of logistical support.

Speaking at a briefing of the exercises, Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, emphasised that all the exercises being conducted are scheduled, are not directed against third countries, and are aimed at improving the interoperability of command and control bodies and troops, as well as maintaining the readiness of force formations and assets to carry out their designated tasks in the interests of ensuring collective security.