CSTO to Hold 'Indestructible Brotherhood' and 'Barrier' Drills in Belarus October 12-16
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The Collective Security Treaty Organization will hold the 'Indestructible Brotherhood 2026' command-staff exercise and the 'Barrier 2026' special drills in Belarus from October 12 to 16, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday. The drills will take place at the Losvido training ground in the Vitebsk region, even as Russia awaits Armenia's final decision on its continued participation in the CSTO.
The Drills
The 'Indestructible Brotherhood 2026' exercises will involve peacekeeping forces from CSTO member states, while 'Barrier 2026' will focus on radiation, chemical, and biological protection and medical support. Both drills will be held at the Losvido training ground in Belarus's Vitebsk region, according to Valery Revenko, head of the international military cooperation department and assistant to the defense minister. Revenko confirmed that the joint staff and the CSTO secretariat had agreed on the plans for the exercises.
Armenia's CSTO Membership
Russia is awaiting a final decision from Yerevan on its participation in the CSTO, the Moscow-led military bloc. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously froze the country's involvement, citing a lack of support from the alliance during conflicts. The Kremlin has stated that Armenia must decide for itself whether to remain in the organization or choose a different path, while maintaining that the door remains open for dialogue. The 'Indestructible Brotherhood' drills will test the bloc's peacekeeping readiness at a time when one member's status is in question.
What's Next
The CSTO exercises are scheduled to run from October 12 to 16, with the participation of all member states except possibly Armenia. It remains unclear whether Yerevan will attend or if a final break with the alliance will occur before the drills begin.
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CSTO to Hold 'Indestructible Brotherhood' and 'Barrier' Drills in Belarus October 12-16
