Chinese troops join Russia's Tsentr-2026 drills in Chelyabinsk

October 3, 2026 at 04:00 PM1 min

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

Chinese troops participated in Russia's Tsentr-2026 strategic exercises in the Chelyabinsk region, which ran from Monday to Saturday. More than 47,000 military personnel took part in the drills, which Russian state media said applied lessons from the Ukraine war. Russian President Vladimir Putin observed the exercises at the Chebarkul Training Ground on Friday.

Key Facts

More than 47,000 military personnel took part in the Tsentr-2026 drills in the Chelyabinsk region from Monday to Saturday.
The Russian Ministry of Defence said the exercise applied combat lessons from the Ukraine war to 'repel external aggression in the Central Asian direction'.
Russian President Vladimir Putin observed the drills at the Chebarkul Training Ground on Friday and met foreign military attaches.
The drills featured new anti-drone and ground robot systems.

Exercise Scale

The Tsentr-2026 strategic command-and-staff exercise took place in the central western Chelyabinsk region from Monday until Saturday. More than 47,000 military personnel were involved in the drills. The exercise featured new anti-drone and ground robot systems. Russian state media reported that the drills applied lessons from the Ukraine war.

Official Statements

The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the exercise applied combat lessons from the Ukraine war to 'repel external aggression in the Central Asian direction'. Russian President Vladimir Putin observed the drills at the Chebarkul Training Ground on Friday. Putin also met with foreign military attaches, according to state news agency Tass.