The final stage of the Command and staff training with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces "Indestructible Brotherhood-2020" took place in the Republic of Belarus

16.10.2020

In the period from 12 to 16 October 2020, a command and staff training with the Peacekeeping Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization "Indestructible Brotherhood-2020" was held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. In the course of the training issues of preparation and conduct of a peacekeeping operation by the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Eastern European region were worked out.
The “Indestructible Brotherhood-2020” training main objectives were:
improving the practical skills and abilities of commanders and staffs of all levels in the preparation of a peacekeeping operation and the management of military units (subunits) of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the course of carrying out peacekeeping tasks;
improving the teamwork in action of peacekeeping contingents of the CSTO member states for active, skillful and decisive actions to fulfill their tasks in a peacekeeping operation;
strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between the peacekeeping contingents of the CSTO member states.
The training under the charge of the Commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, Major General Vadim Denisenko, involved the contingents of the CSTO member states, operational groups of the Joint Staff and the CSTO Secretariat, police (militia) forces and rescue sections. The total number of training participants was more than 900 people, more than 120 units of military and special equipment were also involved, strike drones and six helicopters.
The CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas, Belarusian Defense Minister Major General Viktor Khrenin and the CSTO Joint Staff Chief Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov took part in the final stage of the Command and staff training with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces "Indestructible Brotherhood-2020". The event was attended by official delegations of the CSTO member states, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organizations.
Defense attachés accredited by the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus, representing 14 countries: Bulgaria, Venezuela, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Germany, Czechia, Tajikistan, took part as observers at the final stage of the Command and staff training with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces "Indestructible Brotherhood-2020". A briefing was held for foreign defense attaches, in the course of which they were told about the details and special aspects of the training.
On October 16, 2020, in the Vitebsk region at the “Losvido” training ground, the final stage of the command and staff training with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces “Indestructible Brotherhood-2020” took place, accompanied by play of all tactical episodes.
According to the plan of the training, the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces carried out preparation and carried out a peacekeeping operation authorized by the United Nations Security Council in accordance with the Mandate of the CSTO Collective Security Council on the territory of a simulated state. According to the legend of the training, as part of the post-conflict peacebuilding, the CSTO peacekeeping contingent, having a UN Security Council resolution and the consent of the host party, was introduced into a simulated state in order to monitor the observance of the ceasefire agreements reached by the warring parties.
In the course of the second stage of the training in a marshy and forested terrain, the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces worked out the tasks during the conduct of a peacekeeping operation.
The contingents worked out line of duty at peacekeeping posts, escorting motor vehicle convoys and their movement, including overcoming a water barrier on a built mechanized pontoon, patrolling the area and conducting engineering reconnaissance, including countering improvised explosive devices.
In its area of responsibility, the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces worked out actions to block and inspect a settlement, part of which was "captured" by illegal armed groups. In the course of the "storming" of the building by a group of the combined special unit of the militia (police) forces, hostages were released and members of illegal armed groups were detained.
In cooperation with the militia (police) and rescue sections, the peacekeepers worked out the tasks of assisting in the restoration of peaceful life, including the evacuation of the injured and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

The CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas, summing up the results of the training, told media representatives: "The main goal of the CSTO is to strengthen and maintain peace and regional security. Priority is given to non-military means, but political means." He stressed that the implementation of such a goal required trained units capable of solving peacekeeping tasks.

"Units are capable to create conditions for the separation of the conflicting parties, conditions for the start of the negotiation process and dialogue, and the establishment of peace in general, therefore, such attention is paid to the peacekeeping forces within the CSTO," Stanislav Zas said. In his opinion, within the framework of the CSTO, all the necessary legal basis for conducting peacekeeping operations has been worked out and the corresponding assets have been formed.

The CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas spoke at the closing ceremony of the “Indestructible Brotherhood-2020” training (audio)

For reference

The CSTO Peacekeeping Forces  is a system of peacekeeping contingents designed to participate in the CSTO peacekeeping operations.
Peacekeeping contingents of the CSTO member states  are specially trained military, militia (police) and civilian personnel, as well as assets provided by the member states of the Organization to the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces.
The composition, structure and strength of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces are determined by the decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council for each peacekeeping operation separately, based on the scope of tasks to be solved and the specific situation in the conflict zone.
The total strength of the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces is  about 3,600 people..

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 The Joint Press Center of the CSTO training "Indestructible Brotherhood-2020"