CSTO Exercises Begin in Russia with Focus on Modern Warfare
At the Chebarkul training ground, ODRK exercises began. In the Russian Federation, joint command-staff and special exercises of the ODRK Collective Rapid Reaction Forces were launched: 'Interaction-2026', 'Search-2026' and 'Echelon-2026'.
Consensus
- The exercises 'Interaction-2026', 'Search-2026', and 'Echelon-2026' began on September 27, 2024, at the Chelyabinsk Polygone.
- The exercises are part of the Collective Forces of the CSTO's operational readiness preparation for 2026.
- The ceremony of opening was attended by the Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, General-Major Andrey Serdyukov, and Deputy Secretary-General Mirlan Turgunbekov.
- Participants include military contingents from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Russia.
- The exercises aim to improve coordination and readiness for real-world scenarios, including border conflict localization.
- The use of modern equipment, including drones, reconnaissance systems, and electronic warfare tools, is emphasized.
- The exercises are linked to the current Russian presidency in the CSTO and the need to respond to evolving security threats.
Points of divergence
- The exercises include participation from special units of internal affairs, security agencies, and emergency response authorities. — tg_MID_Russia
- Russia's permanent representative Viktor Vasiliev stated that the CSTO's collective security strategy allows for the use of nuclear weapons to defend allies in case of attack. — vm
- The military contingents from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan, and Tajikistan arrived in Russia on September 25. — vedomosti
- Joint exercises 'Rubezh-2026' were held from September 12 to 19 on the Koktal range in Kazakhstan. — vedomosti
Coverage (11 sources)
- Today in the Russian Federation on the territory of the Chebarkulskiy range a ceremony to open the command-staff exercise... — МИД России
- In Russia, three ODRK exercises have started. Emphasis will be placed on drones, reconnaissance, and air defense — Фонтанка
- In Russia, exercises with the participation of ODKB countries have begun — Ведомости
- ODKB Forces Exercises 'Interaction', 'Search' and 'Echelon' Started in Russia — Вечерняя Москва
- ODKB exercises launched at Chebarkul training ground — Минобороны России
- Joint exercises of ODSK forces started at a range in Russia — Вести
- In Russia, exercises of ODKB forces have started — Коммерсантъ
- Joint command-staff exercise of the ODRK began in Russia — Интерфакс
- Participants of ODKB exercises from four countries have arrived in Russia — Ведомости
- Military personnel of ODKB countries arrived in Russia for joint exercises — Коммерсантъ
- Contingents of ODKB countries arrived at exercises in Russia. — РИА Новости (Telegram)