Large-scale exercises of the CSTO countries have begun in Belarus

Large-scale military exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries have started in Belarus, the republic's Defense Ministry reported on August 31.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus, First Deputy Minister of Defense, Major General Pavel Muraveyko, stressed that all planned tasks would be completed with high quality.

He noted that the annual CSTO exercises include the programs "Interaction", "Echelon", "Search" and "Frontier". As part of the maneuvers, issues of ensuring public safety, countering external aggression, combating illegal armed groups and sabotage and reconnaissance groups will be worked out.

According to Muraveiko, modern methods developed based on the experience of recent conflicts will be used, including the use of unmanned aircraft, robotic systems, electronic warfare and modern IT systems for communication and communication.

"Significant contingents have arrived from the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and Tajikistan. Naturally, our Belarusian contingent is the largest and is represented by the best unit — the 103rd Vitebsk Separate Guards Airborne Brigade," the Major General is quoted as saying in the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus.

He noted that the exercises involve both national contingents performing separate tasks and mixed groups solving tasks together. Muraveyko stressed that all participants speak the same language and use compatible weapons, which makes it possible to effectively implement the tasks set.

To reduce tension and demonstrate openness, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko decided to conduct exercises far from the western and southern borders of the country in order to avoid accusations of possible provocations.

"The exercises are planned and are taking place at training grounds in the interior of the country or in its eastern part," Muraveiko added.

Western Horizon: How Russia and Belarus are preparing for strategic exercises

Modern conflict scenarios involving unmanned, airborne and ground-based components will be practiced

On August 21, the chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, Andrei Serdyukov, said that more than 5,000 personnel and about 1,000 units of weapons, military and special equipment would be involved in the CSTO joint peacekeeping exercises in 2025. The main event of operational and combat training in 2025 will be a joint exercise with the collective rapid reaction forces. A special feature of these exercises is their close alignment with the idea of the joint strategic exercise of the Armed Forces of Belarus and the Russian Federation Zapad-2025.

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