85 years ago, the Great Patriotic War began. The war machine of Nazi Germany launched a treacherous attack against Soviet cities and villages and committed unprecedented atrocities against Soviet citizens. The peoples of the Soviet Union rose to defend their common Motherland and paid an enormous price for peace, freedom, and the right to live on their own land.
On June 17–18, 2026, CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov visited sections of the State Border of the Republic of Belarus with Poland and Lithuania.
On June 18, 2026, the 24th Meeting of the Interstate Commission for Military-Economic Cooperation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (ICMEC CSTO) was held in Minsk on the sidelines of the 3rd International Security Industry Exhibition “National Security. Belarus 2026”. The meeting was chaired by Dmitry Stefanovich, Head of the Belarusian National Section of the ICMEC and Deputy Chairman of the State Authority for Military Industry of the Republic of Belarus.
On June 18, 2026, the 2nd Military-Economic Conference of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, entitled “Development of Cooperation among the Defense Industries (Military-Industrial Complexes) of the CSTO Member States: 20 Years of Practical Cooperation”, was held in Minsk on the sidelines of the 3rd International Security Industry Exhibition “National Security. Belarus 2026”. The event brought together representatives of relevant ministries, agencies, defense enterprises, and other institutions and organizations of the CSTO member states.
The May of the Great Victory is ahead!
05.02.2020
At the National Center for Defense Management of the Russian Federation, under the leadership of the head of the military department, Army General Sergei Shoigu, a conference call was held with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces. Why this conference is likely to be interesting for readers from countries that are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization? Well, firstly, it will be useful for the allied armies to know what is happening in the Russian army. And secondly, and most importantly - at this meeting, the main topic of the agenda was the preparations for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Here, Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Army General Sergei Shoigu, in fact, started the preparation of a whole range of events for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory. And this is, obviously, our common cause - and Russia, and Belarus, and Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. It was the war for all of us, the Great Victory became common for us, the holiday also became common.
So: what was has been discussed at the conference call? As already mentioned, upon starting work, the Minister of Defense first reminded that on May 9 the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II would be celebrated.
“The Victory Day is the one of the most important events not only for our country, but also for all who cherish the memory of the generation of Heroes who saved the world from fascism, who remember well the true lessons of history,” said the head of the military department.
He also noted that celebrations with the participation of troops on Victory Day would be held in numerous cities of Russia.
“Directly on May 9, festive events with the participation of troops will be held in 475 cities and towns,” said General Shoigu. “More than 116 thousand soldiers will be participated.
According to him, specialists of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation have developed a whole range of events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, which would be implemented throughout the year.
“In the program we adopted, there are a lot of events, within the framework of which comprehensive assistance will be rendered to veterans of the Great Patriotic War,” Sergei Shoigu emphasized, “for this we will attract a large number of volunteers and members of the Yunarmy military patriotic movement. In addition, we will continue to publish unique archival materials that tell the truth about the war.
What else is planned? According to the Minister of Defense, “in April-May, a patriotic action “Victory Echelons” will be held, during which trains with exhibits from the war will go through six routes across the country, including the Hero Cities.” The consecration of the Main Temple of the Armed Forces and the opening of the museum complex “The Road of Memory” will take a special place in the celebrations. It is worth noting that the “The Road of Memory” is a grandiose project of the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of Russia, which will bring together tens of millions of photographs of front-line soldiers and workers of defense enterprises, partisans, employees of cultural institutions and all those who selflessly fought and worked during the Great Patriotic War, defending native land from fascist hordes. In Moscow, the point of digitizing photographs will be opened in the Central Academic Theatre on Suvorov Square. It is assumed, that during the campaign, the members of the Yunarmy military patriotic movement and soldiers of the Moscow garrison will bring their photographs to the digitization point. During the ceremony, media representatives will be able to communicate with theater and cinema actors, interview participants in the action, and hear unique stories of the war years. According to the minister, in addition to the points for digitizing photographs and letters, a special section has been created on the website of the Ministry of Defense.
As for the Victory Parade itself, on May 9, 24 new models of military equipment will be presented on the Red Square of the capital, among other things.
“First of all, these are anti-aircraft missile systems and military air defense systems, coastal missile systems, remote mining vehicles, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles,” Army General Sergey Shoigu explained.
He also noted that in the military parade in Moscow will be involved 15 thousand troops, 225 units of weapons and military equipment, 150 aircraft. The historical part of the parade will be presented by ten squads in military uniforms from the times of World War II and a column convoy of the legendary T-34 and SU-100. We also note that the training of personnel in military bases is already underway, and is very active.
“Joint trainings in the Alabinsk garrison will begin on March 15,” Sergei Shoigu said. “There will be fifteen in all.” And from April 29, "runs" on Red Square will begin.
The Minister of Defense asked the participants of the conference call to take into account the scope and importance of the tasks, and asked all officials to take the most responsible approach to their implementation.
