On September 29–30, 2026, the 6th International Conference of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation on the spread of extremist ideology was held in Moscow. The CSTO delegation, comprising Umar Umarzoda, Head of the Department for Countering Challenges and Threats, and Igor Demchenko, Adviser to the Department, took part in the conference.
In the Russian Federation, at the Chebarkulsky training range, reconnaissance groups have begun practicing practical actions in designated areas as part of the CSTO special exercise with reconnaissance forces and assets “Search-2026”.
Today, a ceremony was held at the Chebarkulsky training range in the Russian Federation to open the command-and-staff exercise with the Collective Operational Reaction Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization “Interaction-2026” and the special exercises “Search-2026” and “Echelon-2026”.
Statement by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CSTO member states on the need to counter threats posed by the use of information and communication technologies for sabotage and terrorist purposes
11.06.2026We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CSTO member states, referring to the resolutions of the UN General Assembly recognizing information and communication technologies (ICTs) as dual-use technologies,
noting that their unlawful use may contribute to destabilizing the domestic political and socio-economic situation of sovereign states, increasing tensions and creating risks of escalation of interstate conflicts,
recognizing the growing threats posed by the use of ICTs for sabotage and terrorist purposes, including for the propaganda and financing of terrorism, sabotage and extremist activities, as well as acts of international terrorism, the recruitment of new supporters and accomplices of terrorist activities, calls to engage in terrorist activities, the dissemination of extremist and hate rhetoric, and incitement of interethnic and interfaith hatred,
expressing concern over the possibility of incorporating hidden malicious functions into ICTs,
drawing attention to the fact that such use of ICTs is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union, which calls for their use in the interests of developing peaceful interstate relations and international cooperation,
calling for compliance with the principles of responsible state behavior in the information space set out in the final report of the UN Group of Governmental Experts of June 26, 2015, as well as in UN General Assembly resolution 73/27 of December 5, 2018, including taking reasonable measures to ensure the integrity of supply chains so that end users can have confidence in the security of ICT products, and preventing the dissemination of malicious software and technical tools in the ICT sphere and the use of hidden malicious functions:
support the exclusively peaceful use of ICTs in accordance with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter;
condemn the use of ICTs for unlawful purposes;
recognize the need for international legal regulation to counter the use of ICTs for sabotage and terrorist purposes in order to prevent restrictions on sovereignty, undermining of security and interference in the internal affairs of states;
call for the signing of the UN Convention against Cybercrime and for facilitating its earliest possible entry into force, as well as for initiating the development of a protocol thereto on additional categories of offenses, including for the purpose of countering the use of ICTs for sabotage and terrorist purposes;
express concern over the use of digital currencies to finance sabotage and terrorist activities, as well as the growing practice of using the Internet for the trafficking of weapons that may be made available to perpetrators of terrorist and sabotage acts, particularly through its shadow segment and services providing anonymous registration on and use of digital resources;
call on states to prevent the dissemination of malicious software and technical tools in the ICT sphere and the use of hidden malicious functions, as well as to take measures to ensure the integrity of supply chains so that end users can have confidence in the security of ICT products;
express readiness to continue jointly developing fair standards and requirements for the secure use of ICTs within the framework of the International Telecommunication Union;
call for increased international cooperation among states, their competent authorities and national developers with a view to producing and safely using ICTs, including artificial intelligence as a form of ICT, to ensure international security and peaceful coexistence among states, for the benefit of all humanity.
