CSTO troops from four nations arrive in Russia for joint exercises

September 26, 2026 at 05:49 PM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Military contingents from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan arrived in Russia for the CSTO exercises Interaction-2026, Search-2026 and Echelon-2026. The troops completed their regrouping to the Chebarkul training ground in the Central Military District, Chelyabinsk Oblast. The exercises are planned and not directed against third countries, according to the CSTO Joint Staff.

Key Facts

Troops from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan arrived in Russia for the CSTO exercises Interaction-2026, Search-2026 and Echelon-2026.
The exercises are being held at the Chebarkul training ground of the Central Military District in Chelyabinsk Oblast.
Interaction-2026 will rehearse a joint operation to localize a border armed conflict.
Search-2026 will focus on organizing and conducting reconnaissance for the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces.
Echelon-2026 will address material and technical support organization.

Exercise Locations and Participants

The CSTO Joint Staff press service announced that participants of the command-staff exercise with the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces Interaction-2026, and the special exercises Search-2026 and Echelon-2026, completed their regrouping to the Russian Federation. Contingents arrived at the exercise areas from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The exercises are taking place at the Chebarkul training ground of the Central Military District in Chelyabinsk Oblast.

Exercise Objectives

Interaction-2026 will rehearse the preparation and conduct of a joint operation to localize a border armed conflict. Search-2026 is dedicated to organizing and conducting reconnaissance in the interests of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces. Echelon-2026 will focus on organizing material and technical support. Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov, stated that all exercises are planned, not directed against third countries, and aim to improve coordination of command bodies and troops.