The active phase of the joint exercise with the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region (CRDF CAR) “Frontier-2026” has begun at the Koktal training range in the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the exercise, the participating forces are practicing the preparation and conduct of combat operations to destroy illegal armed formations that have invaded the territory of a CSTO member state.
On September 11, 2026, a round table entitled “Kazakhstan–Central Asia–Greater Eurasia: resilience and security amid new challenges” was held at the Center for Social Conservative Policy. The event was organized by the CSTO Secretariat jointly with the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICCA RAS) and the Center for Social Conservative Policy (CSCP).
The event was attended by CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov, Director of the ICCA RAS Kirill Babaev, members of the CSTO Permanent Council and representatives of the academic and expert communities of the member states. The discussion was moderated by Yuri Shuvalov, Head of the Information and Public Relations Department of the CSTO Secretariat.
On September 4 this year, a round table entitled “CSTO–SCO: Security Space” was held as part of the business program of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. CSTO Secretariat representative Igor Panarin took part in the event.
The active phase of the joint exercise of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region “Frontier-2026” has begun in Kazakhstan.
14.09.2026
The active phase of the joint exercise with the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region (CRDF CAR) “Frontier-2026” has begun at the Koktal training range in the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the exercise, the participating forces are practicing the preparation and conduct of combat operations to destroy illegal armed formations that have invaded the territory of a CSTO member state.
The official opening ceremony of the exercise was attended by CSTO Deputy Secretary General Mirlan Turgunbekov, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan Major General Askar Zholamanov, Deputy Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Lieutenant General Ruslan Shpekbayev, and invited officials.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, CSTO Deputy Secretary General Mirlan Turgunbekov noted: “The political and military significance of our exercise is enhanced by the fact that it is being conducted according to a common concept and plan with the strategic command-and-staff exercise of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘Decisive Repulse-2026.’ The exercises are being conducted amid an aggravation of the crisis in the international relations system and the persistence of conflict potential in the Central Asian region and the CSTO collective security area. The leaders of our states are taking all necessary measures to develop the forces and assets of the collective security system for joint countering of modern challenges and threats. Amid a complex military and political situation and regional instability, the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region must remain constantly ready to conduct joint operations in the CSTO area of responsibility.”
Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan Major General Askar Zholamanov, speaking at the ceremony, said in particular: “Thanks to the far-sighted and wise policies of the presidents of our states, and in implementing the instructions of the heads of the defense agencies, we attach great importance to cooperation in the joint training of command and control bodies and troops. Thorough preparation of forces and assets to prevent and eliminate sources of threats, including those related to terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as practicing coordinated and well-coordinated actions by units of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region in a training environment, undoubtedly contributes to the formation of a reliable security system.”
In his speech, Deputy Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Lieutenant General Ruslan Shpekbayev noted: “The experience of recent armed conflicts demonstrates a fundamental change in the nature of warfare. The widespread use of precision weapons, the full range of unmanned aerial vehicles and reconnaissance assets rules out the creation of large groupings and bases both near the line of contact and deep in the rear. Today, the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces are an important component of the Organization's forces and must be ready to respond promptly and adequately to emerging challenges and threats to national and collective security in the Central Asian region. The ‘Frontier’ exercise is aimed at enhancing the interoperability of command and control bodies, improving the practical skills of commanders and staffs in preparing for and conducting combat operations, as well as the combat proficiency, professionalism and field training of personnel of the national contingents. This will further improve the capabilities and readiness of the Collective Forces to perform their designated tasks.”
From September 13 to 18, the joint exercise with the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region “Frontier-2026” is being conducted at the Koktal training range under the command of Colonel Makhsut Gusseinov, Commander of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The concept of this CSTO exercise is closely linked to the main operational and combat training event of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan — the strategic command-and-staff exercise “Decisive Repulse-2026.” Particular attention is being paid to accomplishing training and combat tasks in mountainous and desert terrain and to cooperation between the CRDF CAR and units of Kazakhstan's Border Guard Service and National Guard.
The “Frontier-2026” joint exercise involves military contingents from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, as well as operational groups from the CSTO Joint Staff and Secretariat. The Russian contingent is primarily composed of servicemen from the Central Military District serving with the 201st Guards Military Base. The exercise involves approximately 1,500 personnel and more than 300 items of military and special equipment, including 115 unmanned aerial vehicles for various purposes.
It should be recalled that the CRDF CAR, established pursuant to a decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council, marks its 25th anniversary this year. They comprise units and formations of the armed forces maintained at permanent readiness and equipped with modern weapons systems and military equipment. The main tasks of the CRDF CAR are to participate in repelling external military aggression and conducting joint counter-terrorism operations.
CSTO Joint Exercise Press Center
Republic of Kazakhstan, Koktal training range
