CSTO Talks About Upcoming Exercises

Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, gave a briefing on August 28.

The Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff reported on the set of measures planned within the framework of joint operational and combat training, on the goals and tasks of the exercise, on the forces and assets involved, and also answered journalists’ questions.

Main talking points

In 2023, the joint training of the CSTO Collective Security System’s command and control bodies and formations is aimed at improving the mechanisms for making and implementing collective decisions to localize armed conflicts, stabilize the situation and maintain peace and security in the CSTO area of responsibility.

In the interests of the effective conduct of joint training activities for the forces and means of the CSTO Collective Security System, the Joint Staff, in cooperation with the Secretariat and the defence departments of CSTO Member States, has developed a military, political and strategic training framework.

As part of the 2023 Boyevoye bratstvo (“Combat Brotherhood”) operational and strategic exercise, five joint (special) exercises are being conducted from August to October, covering the Eastern European and Central Asian regions of collective security.

At the final stage of the joint training, a joint exercise with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces codenamed Nerushimoye bratstvo (“Unbreakable Brotherhood”) 2023 is planned to be held on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The exercise will practice post-conflict settlement in a crisis zone, including the conduct of a peacekeeping operation using the forces and assets of the CSTO Collective Security System and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Representatives of non-CSTO Member States, namely the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the People's Republic of China and Mongolia, have been invited as observers to the exercise being held in the Republic of Belarus.

A total of up to 3,700 personnel and up to 700 weapons, military and special equipment will be involved at various stages during the joint and special exercises in 2023. More than 2,500 military personnel and over 500 weapons, military and special equipment have been announced for participation in the exercises in Belarus.

Practical arrangements for the movement of troops (forces) to the exercise areas have been in place since August 25.

CSTO joint press centres will be set up as part of each exercise to provide comprehensive coverage and disseminate official information on the progress of joint exercises with CSTO Troops (Collective Forces).

The final stages of the exercises involving field training will take place in the Republic of Belarus on September 6 and in the Kyrgyz Republic on October 13, after which the contingents will return to their duty stations.