CSTO Exercises Began in Russia

A ceremony marking the opening of 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” was held at a training range in the Russian Federation.

Military contingents from Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan are taking part in the exercises.

The ceremony was attended by Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov, CSTO Deputy Secretary General Mirlan Turgunbekov, commanders of the military contingents and invited officials.

Addressing the exercise participants, Hero of the Russian Federation Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, said:

“Today, the main training event of this year is getting under way in the Russian Federation – the joint command-and-staff exercise ‘Interaction- 2026’, as well as the special exercises ‘Poisk’ and ‘Echelon’.”

He noted that the effective organisation of joint operational and combat training, taking into account the experience of modern armed conflicts, as well as the enhancement of the combat capabilities of the CSTO Collective Forces, their equipping with modern weapons, military and special equipment, including unmanned systems, reconnaissance and electronic warfare assets, and the improvement of air defence organisation are priority areas of activity during the Russian Federation’s chairmanship of the Organisation.

“This is necessitated by the extremely complex military and political situation in the world. The further degradation of international relations, as well as the movement of ‘zones of instability’ directly towards the borders of our states, are contributing to an increase in challenges and threats to military security. The conditions taking shape require us to respond promptly to changes in the nature and conduct of hostilities. Guided by these priorities, we are improving the command and control components and formations of the Collective Forces and their readiness to operate in conditions as close as possible to those of real modern armed conflicts,” Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov said.

“I would sincerely like to thank the leadership of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation for the high standard of organisation of preparations for the exercises, which make it possible to practise various training and combat tasks using a wide range of weapons, military and special equipment.

I am confident that the exercises we are conducting will contribute to the further improvement and enhancement of the readiness of the Collective Forces to carry out their designated tasks, and will demonstrate the Organisation’s resolve and the readiness of its military component to ensure collective security,” the Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff noted.

The command-and-staff exercise involving the Collective Rapid Reaction Force, “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 will practise the organisation and conduct of reconnaissance in support of the CSTO CRRF.

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