Stanislav Zas: The Cobalt 2022 exercise demonstrated a high level of cohesion of the CSTO Collective Security Forces

According to the website of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a special tactical training codenamed Cobalt 2022 took place in two stages on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic from August 2 to 5, 2022, involving units that are part of special forces of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force.
The first stage practiced the deployment of special force units of the CSTO CRRF in the area of destination, the formation and integration of the field staff of the CSTO CRRF special force units and special operation planning.
The participants carried out reconnaissance of the area of operation, a field exercise and live-round tactical shooting competitions.
Field staff personnel improved their professional skills in managing various special operations forces of the CSTO CRRF while jointly neutralizing illegal armed formations in the border area.
The command and staff exercise focused on interaction, planning and comprehensive support of the special operation.
During the second phase of the exercise, special units of internal affairs bodies, police, internal troops, National Guard, drug enforcement bodies and special services of CSTO States practiced operating combined tactical units to eliminate rebel groups who illegally crossed the state border, block drug trafficking channels, seize weapons and provide emergency relief following tactical activities.
About 500 servicemen, armoured vehicles, tactical artillery, special vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles and sniffer dogs were involved in the exercises.
The exercise was observed by heads of CIS ATC, CIS Organized Crime Action Coordination Bureau, SCO RATS Executive Committee, UNODC Regional Office for the Kyrgyz Republic, OSCE Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic, representatives of Coordination Service of the CIS Border Troops Commanders Council, ICRC, embassies of Iran, Mongolia, China in Kyrgyzstan.
The exercise was led by Oktyabr Urmambetov, deputy Minister of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Marat Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Stanislav Zas, CSTO Secretary General, observed the exercise on the ground.
At the end of the exercise, a detailed analysis was conducted and the results summarized. The most distinguished officers and servicemen were rewarded by the CSTO Secretary General and the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Summing up the results of the exercise, Stanislav Zas, CSTO Secretary General, said, “Today another important joint training exercise of the formations of special forces of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force is coming to an end.
It demonstrated once again the high level of operational combat and tactical training, fieldcraft, as well as the cohesion of collective security forces and assets of our Organization.
During the exercise and the command and staff training the trainees were well-placed to practice setting up the decision-making process on the use of CRRF special task units, incoming data collection and analysis, unit management, comprehensive support for a special operation and the interaction of diverse forces and assets during the performance of set tasks.
On the whole, all event participants have demonstrated their ability to act in unison under complex, constantly changing circumstances.
I congratulate you on the successful completion of the exercise. I thank all participants for their diligent and responsible approach in carrying out the training and combat tasks.
We are grateful to the Kyrgyz side for the extensive work done in preparing and organizing the exercise, as well as the good living conditions created for the participants, which undoubtedly contributed greatly to the success of the entire set of planned activities.
I wish all exercise participants a safe return to their duty stations, success in their military service and in improving their skills in the interests of ensuring national security and strengthening the collective security of our states.
Thank you for your attention!”
Special tactical exercise Cobalt 2022 of CSTO special forces was conducted in accordance with the 2022 Joint Training Plan for the Command and Formations of the CSTO Collective Security System.