Defence Ministry Shows Arrival of CSTO Exercise Participants

Participants in Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) exercises are arriving in Belarus ahead of drills scheduled for October 12-16. The Defence Ministry’s press service has published footage of the arrival of contingents from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Russian military personnel will also take part in the exercises.

Two exercises will be held in Belarus:

• the CSTO peacekeeping forces command-and-staff exercise “Indestructible Brotherhood 2026”;
• the CSTO special exercise “Barrier 2026”, involving a joint radiation, chemical and biological protection and medical support formation.

“During the ‘Indestructible Brotherhood 2026’ exercise, participants will practise the preparation and conduct of a peacekeeping operation by the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces.

During the ‘Barrier 2026’ exercise, participants will practise eliminating sources of biological threats within the area of responsibility of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces,” the ministry said.

It also stressed that the exercises “are planned activities and are not directed against third countries”.