Active phase of the CSTO CRRF Rubezh 2022 exercise started in Tajikistan

The active phase of the joint exercise with the CSTO CRRF of the Central Asian region Rubezh 2022 began on October 17 in the Republic of Tajikistan at the Kharbmaidon training ground, the CSTO website reports.
The exercise theme is Preparation and Сonduct of Combat Operations by the Central Asian Regional CRRF to Destroy Illegal Armed Formations That Have Invaded the Territory of a CSTO Member State.”
Participants of the exercise opening ceremony included Lieutenant General Emomali Sobirzoda, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces – first deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Tajikistan; Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff; Takhir Khairuloev, deputy CSTO Secretary General; and representatives of the armed forces of the states of the CSTO Central Asian region of collective security.
Speaking to the exercise participants, Lieutenant General Emomali Sobirzoda, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces – first deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Tajikistan, noted the important role of joint exercises in enhancing the professionalism of military personnel of the Organization’s Member States.
“Today, given the rapidly changing situation throughout the CSTO territory and the concentration of destabilizing factors near our borders, the timely and comprehensive functioning of crisis response mechanisms, in particular its military component, is gaining in importance and urgency,” Emomali Sobirzoda said. He mentioned that along with negative trends observed in all regions of collective security, the situation at the southern frontiers of the Central Asian region bordering Tajikistan causes a particular concern.
Opening the joint exercise with the CSTO Central Asia Regional CRRF Rubezh 2022, Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, said, “Today the active phase of the joint exercise with the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Central Asian region begins. I welcome you on behalf of the multinational personnel of the CSTO Joint Staff. I thank the leadership of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Defence for their fruitful work in preparation of the exercise.”
Anatoly Sidorov noted that the Central Asian region’s Collective Rapid Reaction Forces that were created in 2001 amid the growing international terrorist threat, remain relevant today and are an important component of the CSTO collective security system.
He said that the situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has a key influence on the development of the situation in the Central Asian region and that in the near-term perspective the military-political situation in the region is not expected to improve.
The Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff pointed out that in these circumstances the main objectives of the Central Asian Regional CRRF are readiness to repulse external military aggression, counter terrorist challenges and respond timely to threats to national and regional security.
Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov said, “During the exercise you will practice a set of training and combat tasks to prepare and conduct a joint operation by the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Central Asian region; the units will perform special tasks to eliminate illegal armed formations in mountainous terrain, liberate captured facilities and conduct combat and special actions to restore a section of the state border.”
Anatoly Sidorov also wished the participants of the joint exercise Rubezh 2022 to show their best qualities: high professionalism, good teamwork and, if necessary, mutual support and mutual assistance, and to confirm their readiness for joint actions to ensure collective security of our states in the united combat formation in hospitable Tajikistan.
Military contingents of member states of the Central Asian region and task forces of the Joint Staff and the CSTO Secretariat will take part in practical operations at the Kharbmaidon training ground. The core of the Russian contingent consists of servicemen of the Central Military District from the 201st military base. The total number of participants in the exercise is about 1,000 people and more than 300 pieces of military and special equipment, including aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.