CSTO “Interaction-2026”, “Search-2026” and “Echelon-2026” exercises launched in the Russian Federation

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”.

The ceremony was attended by CSTO Joint Staff Chief Hero of the Russian Federation Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov, CSTO Deputy Secretary General Mirlan Turgunbekov, commanders of the military contingents and invited officials.

Addressing the exercise participants, CSTO Joint Staff Chief Hero of the Russian Federation Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov said: “Today, the main training event of this year begins in the Russian Federation – the joint command-and-staff exercise “Interaction-2026”, as well as the special exercises “Search” and “Echelon”.”

He noted that high-quality organization of joint operational and combat training, taking into account the experience of modern armed conflicts, as well as increasing the combat potential of the CSTO Collective Forces, equipping them with modern weapons and military and special equipment, including unmanned systems, reconnaissance and electronic warfare assets, and improving the organization of air defense are priority areas of activity during the Russian Federation's chairmanship of the Organization.

“The relevance of this is determined by the extremely complex military and political situation in the world.

The further degradation of international relations, as well as the approach of ‘zones of instability’ directly to the borders of our states, are contributing to the growth of challenges and threats to military security. The conditions taking shape require us to respond promptly to changes in the nature and conduct of combat operations. Guided by these priorities, we are improving the command and control components and formations of the Collective Forces and their readiness to operate under conditions as close as possible to those of modern armed conflicts,” Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov said.

“I sincerely want to thank the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for the high level of organization of preparations for the exercises, which make it possible to practice various training and combat tasks using a wide range of weapons and military and special equipment.

I am confident that the exercises we are conducting will contribute to further improving and enhancing the readiness of the Collective Forces to perform their assigned tasks, and will demonstrate the Organization's resolve and the readiness of its military component to ensure collective security,” the CSTO Joint Staff Chief noted.

Speaking at the ceremony, representative of the Central Military District command Lieutenant General Alexander Mashyanov, in particular, noted: “The Collective Operational Reaction Forces must remain constantly ready to conduct joint operations in the CSTO area of responsibility amid a challenging military and political situation and regional instability.

Particular attention will be paid to carrying out training and combat tasks in forested terrain.

I am confident that our exercises will contribute to further strengthening interaction among our military contingents, improving their level of proficiency and readiness for joint action, and developing collective security mechanisms.

I wish all exercise participants successful completion of their assigned tasks, coordinated and productive work, and the strengthening of military camaraderie.”

In the Russian Federation, the command-and-staff exercise with the CSTO Collective Operational Reaction Forces “Interaction-2026”, aimed at practicing the preparation and conduct of a joint operation to localize a cross-border armed conflict, the special exercise with reconnaissance forces and assets “Search-2026”, and the special exercise with logistics forces and assets “Echelon-2026” are being held.

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. They include military contingents; special forces formations drawn from special units of internal affairs bodies (police), security agencies and special services, authorized bodies responsible for preventing and responding to emergencies; as well as operational groups from the CSTO Joint Staff and Secretariat. In total, approximately 2,000 servicemen and 350 items of weapons and military and special equipment are involved. The exercises feature extensive use of various types of UAVs and robotic systems, as well as the practice of troops' practical actions taking into account the experience of the special military operation.

CSTO Joint Exercise Press Center

Russian Federation, Chebarkulsky training range