The active phase of exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization's Collective Rapid Reaction Force (CSTO RRF) "Interaction-2022", special exercises "Search-2022" and "Echelon-2022" started on Monday in Kazakhstan. This was told to reporters in the joint press center of the CSTO exercises.
"The year 2022 is characterized by the aggravation of the situation in all regions of collective security of the CSTO. In these conditions, the troops (collective forces) of the CSTO must remain in constant readiness to carry out tasks on mission, including in conditions of modern proxy wars and armed conflicts with the enemy acting "under a foreign flag, with foreign hands," said Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, at the opening ceremony of the exercises. - "However, the CSTO development strategy gives priority to political and diplomatic measures of settlement."
According to him, joint exercises are the highest and most effective form of joint training of command bodies, formations of forces and means of system of collective security of the CSTO, one of the most important means of increasing combat readiness and field training. Sidorov also noted that in 2022 the main activities of joint training are conducted in the Central Asian region, where the situation in Afghanistan, "which remains tense, characterized by instability and potential danger, has a key influence on the development of the situation."
"The CSTO RRF, which consists mainly of airborne troops, airborne assault, motorized rifle, artillery and special purpose units, will practice the preparation and conduct of a joint operation to localize an armed conflict in the Central Asian region of collective security, including practically practicing the organization and conduct of reconnaissance, organization of logistical support. For the first time, a new formation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization will be involved in practical operations, a joint CSTO defense and medical support unit," Sidorov added.
Marat Khusainov, First Deputy Defense Minister, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, welcomed the participants of the exercises and noted the importance of the CSTO in ensuring stability and security in the region and increasing the professionalism of military servicemen of its member states. "CSTO countries are strategic partners and allies, and the upcoming exercises will serve not only as a tool for improving the combat skills of military personnel and the coherence of collective force units, but will also be an example of effective international military cooperation and successes towards sharing experience," Khusainov stressed.
Deputy Secretary General of the CSTO Takhir Khairulloyev and representatives of armed forces of the CSTO member states also took part in the ceremony.
About the exercise
The "Interaction-2022" command-staff exercise with the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces, the special exercise "Search-2022" with reconnaissance forces and "Echelon-2022" with units of logistical support of troops (collective forces) of the CSTO are conducted from September 26 to October 13 on the territory of Kazakhstan. The active phase of the exercise takes place at the Matybulak training range and will continue until October 7. The total number of exercise participants is more than 6,500 and more than 850 units of military and special equipment are involved, including aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Russian contingent is based on units of the Central Military District (CMD).
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS