CSTO peacekeepers repel an attack on a humanitarian convoy as part of the “Indestructible Brotherhood-2026” exercise

At the Losvido training range in the Republic of Belarus, peacekeeping units repelled a simulated enemy attack on a humanitarian convoy during the command-and-staff exercise with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces “Indestructible Brotherhood-2026”.

The exercise involved practicing procedures for organizing the safe transit of vehicles and ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the population. Particular attention was paid to escorting humanitarian cargo, which required coordinated actions by various units and the use of specialized equipment.

The mixed convoy, consisting of armored personnel carriers and cargo trucks, moved under reinforced protection. The airspace was monitored by a pair of Mi-35 helicopters providing aerial cover. An unmanned aerial vehicle was used to reconnoiter the route. To protect the convoy, a security detail was formed, comprising armored personnel carriers, a mobile fire team and electronic warfare assets.

An electronic warfare system mounted on a high-mobility vehicle played a particularly important role in ensuring security. The automated electronic warfare system, capable of operating at a range of up to 500 meters, effectively suppresses radio signals, which is critical for preventing the detonation of radio-controlled explosive devices.

According to the exercise scenario, a simulated sabotage and reconnaissance group attacked the humanitarian convoy while it was moving. Motorized rifle troops of a formation of the Central Military District (CMD), supported by BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, practiced repelling the attack using the standard weapons of their combat vehicles and AK-12 assault rifles. BTR-82A crews employed their 2A72 30 mm automatic cannons and coaxial 7.62 mm PKTM machine guns to provide fire support to the motorized rifle units and suppress the simulated enemy’s firing positions.

During this phase of the exercise, the peacekeepers demonstrated determination and professionalism. The electronic warfare system successfully neutralized some of the explosive devices, minimizing losses. Despite one vehicle being damaged, the remaining vehicles promptly moved out of the line of fire and continued along the route.

Mobile reserve groups were rapidly deployed to provide fire support and eliminated the remaining members of the sabotage and reconnaissance group. The damaged armored personnel carrier was successfully evacuated by repair units using a REM-KL wheeled recovery vehicle, underscoring the readiness of the Collective Forces to accomplish complex tasks in field conditions.

The Republic of Belarus is hosting the command-and-staff exercise with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces “Indestructible Brotherhood-2026” and the special exercise with the CSTO joint NBC protection and medical support formation “Barrier-2026”.

The exercises involve contingents of the CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) from the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan. These include military contingents, units of internal affairs bodies (police) and the National Guard, as well as operational groups from the CSTO Joint Staff and Secretariat. The Russian military contingent is primarily composed of units of the Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District. Approximately 40 items of military and special equipment are being used to carry out training and combat tasks, including BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Ulan-1 and Ulan-2 tactical all-terrain vehicles, quad bikes and motorcycles.

In total, more than 1,500 servicemen and over 300 items of weapons, military and special equipment are involved, including approximately 80 different types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

CSTO Joint Exercise Press Center

Republic of Belarus, Losvido and Starodorozhsky training ranges