The active phase of the “Indestructible Brotherhood-2026” and “Barrier-2026” exercises took place in Belarus

Today, the final stages of 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” took place at the Losvido and Starodorozhsky training ranges in the Republic of Belarus.

During practical operations, the units conducted a peacekeeping operation on the territory of a simulated CSTO member state, carrying out tasks to maintain a ceasefire between the conflicting parties and ensure compliance with the terms of the truce.

The main efforts of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces were focused on creating conditions for a just and peaceful settlement of the conflict. The peacekeeping tasks were to be carried out in three stages.

At the first stage of the peacekeeping operation, the Collective Peacekeeping Forces occupied their area of responsibility, separated the opposing sides and ensured a safe environment in the crisis area.

At the second stage, within the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces’ area of responsibility, units monitored the terrain and the activities of the population, guarded and defended critical infrastructure facilities, established comprehensive protection zones, and ensured the safe transit of all types of transport and the functioning of communications.

Within their area of responsibility, the units organized mobile and foot patrols and guarded and reinforced checkpoints and roadblocks. They practiced organizing service in a demilitarized zone, repelling an attack by simulated illegal armed groups on a peacekeeping checkpoint, and destroying simulated enemy unmanned aerial vehicles using air defense and electronic warfare systems.

The units also practiced cordoning off an area where an unauthorized rally was taking place, containing a riot zone, and ensuring the safety of civilians and infrastructure facilities. They rehearsed the release of hostages and the neutralization of simulated terrorists inside an administrative building. A special operations unit fast-roped from an Mi-8MTV-5 helicopter without using parachutes and took up key positions. After neutralizing the simulated adversary and releasing the hostages, the personnel searched the building. The unit was then evacuated from the task area by helicopter.

The CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces units practiced delivering and escorting humanitarian cargo. During the exercises, they repelled an attack on a convoy of vehicles carrying humanitarian supplies and rehearsed the provision of medical assistance and medical evacuation.

The CSTO joint NBC protection and medical support formation practiced operations aimed at eliminating sources of biological threats and ensuring biological security.

At the third stage, the main focus was on transferring critical infrastructure facilities and the area of responsibility to the local authorities.

The Republic of Belarus hosted 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 involved 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 included 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 was primarily composed of units of the Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District. In total, more than 1,500 servicemen and over 300 items of weapons, military and special equipment were involved, including approximately 80 different types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

At the official closing ceremony, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov addressed the exercise participants, stating:

“Today, the final stages of the command-and-staff exercise with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces ‘Indestructible Brotherhood’ and the special exercise ‘Barrier’ took place in the Republic of Belarus, concluding this year’s cycle of the main joint operational and combat training activities of the Collective Forces. The peacekeeping contingents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, together with the CSTO joint NBC protection and medical support formation, demonstrated coordinated action and a high level of individual training, successfully accomplishing their assigned tasks.

“It should be noted that, under present-day conditions, peacekeeping has become one of the most important instruments for responding to the increased activity of destructive forces that exploit economic conditions and interethnic, ethnic and religious contradictions existing in various states to achieve their objectives, often provoking conflict.

“Given the overall instability of the military and political situation in the regions bordering the CSTO area of responsibility, the existing trend towards further deterioration, and the impact of foreign policy processes in so-called ‘problem regions’ on the domestic situation in CSTO member states, peacekeeping has been identified as one of the priority areas of our Organization’s activities in ensuring collective security.

“Having an effective instrument to deter conflicting parties from resorting to violence and to restore normal life where clashes have occurred is an essential attribute of any international organization operating in the field of security.

“The exercises conducted once again provided an opportunity to assess the readiness of the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces and the joint NBC protection and medical support formation to perform their assigned tasks.

“The exercise participants demonstrated their best qualities: a high level of professionalism, determination and a creative approach to solving the assigned training and combat tasks.

“I congratulate all exercise participants on its successful completion!

“I wish all personnel of the units and formations continued success in joint operational and combat training and a well-organized return to their permanent bases.

“In conclusion, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus and the other ministries and agencies involved in preparing and conducting the exercises for the high quality of organization and execution of all activities, the warm welcome and the hospitality extended to us.”

CSTO Joint Exercise Press Center

Republic of Belarus, Losvido and Starodorozhsky training ranges