CSTO Joint Staff Discussed Preparations for the Barrier-2026 Exercise

A working meeting chaired by Lieutenant General Anatoly Yakovlev was held at the CSTO Joint Staff. The representatives of defence ministries of Belarus (via videoconference), Russia and the CSTO Joint Staff took part in the meeting. 

The parties discussed preparations for the Barrier-2026 exercise, which will take place in October in Belarus, the implementation of Russia's priorities regarding the development of military medicine and biological security, as well as the organization of research work during the exercises with the NBC protection and medical support formation.

This formation was created in 2022, taking into account the experience of the Russian Ministry of Defence in combating COVID-19, and is meant to ensure medical and biological security of troops and respond to mass infections. It includes specialists from all the CSTO Member States. 

If necessary, the formation can be deployed on the territory of one of the Organization's Member States to protect the CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) and ensure a collective response in the event of a massive and rapid spread of dangerous infectious diseases.