From July 7 to 9, second staff talks were held in the Russian Federation on the organization and conduct of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) command-and-staff exercise “Interaction-2026”, the special reconnaissance exercise “Poisk-2026”, and the logistics support exercise “Echelon-2026”.
In accordance with the 2026 Action Plan of the Coordinating Council of Heads of the Competent Authorities for Countering Illicit Drug Trafficking of the CSTO Member States, and as part of the Russian Federation's priorities during its 2026 CSTO Chairmanship, the sub-regional counter-narcotics operation “Kanal – Amber Coast” was conducted from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The operation was aimed at disrupting trafficking routes for narcotic drugs, their precursors and analogues, new psychoactive substances, and potent substances into the CSTO area of responsibility, neutralizing international transnational drug trafficking groups, dismantling clandestine drug production facilities, undermining the economic foundations of the drug trade, including the laundering of drug proceeds.
The 12th Southern Information Security Forum “Infoforum Sochi 2026” is taking place in Sochi, Russia, from June 30 to July 3. On July 1, the Forum's plenary session brought together representatives of federal and regional authorities, regulatory bodies, leading companies, and international organizations to discuss current challenges in the protection of critical infrastructure, the development of artificial intelligence, and international cooperation.
On June 30 – July 1, 2026, Saint Petersburg hosted a series of events chaired by Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, with the participation of heads of the competent authorities of the CSTO member states responsible for emergency prevention and response.
From June 24 to 26, 2026, CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov paid a working visit to the Republic of Tajikistan at the personal invitation of President Emomali Rahmon.
Details of the CSTO exercises “Interaction-2026”, “Poisk-2026” and “Echelon-2026” discussed in the Russian Federation
09.07.2026
From July 7 to 9, second staff talks were held in the Russian Federation on the organization and conduct of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) command-and-staff exercise “Interaction-2026”, the special reconnaissance exercise “Poisk-2026”, and the logistics support exercise “Echelon-2026”.
The staff talks were attended by representatives of the relevant ministries and agencies of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as the CSTO Joint Staff and Secretariat.
During the talks, the participants refined and approved the exercise concepts, aligned with the objectives of the Russian Armed Forces strategic command-and-staff exercise “Center-2026”. They also agreed on command and control arrangements, the composition of participating headquarters and national contingents, the sequence of practical training activities, and issues related to comprehensive logistical support.
A reconnaissance of the exercise areas at the Chebarkul training ground, where the exercises are scheduled to take place in September and October this year, was also conducted.
The CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces are intended to provide a rapid response to security challenges and threats facing the CSTO member states. The CRRF include mobile formations and permanently ready military units of the armed forces of the CSTO member states, fully staffed and equipped with modern, interoperable weapons and military (special) equipment. They also include special operations units from the internal affairs (police) bodies, security agencies and special services, as well as units of the competent authorities responsible for emergency prevention and response.
Photo: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.
