Active phase of CSTO "Rubezh-2025" drills kicks off in Kyrgyzstan

The active phase of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces (CSTO) exercise Rubezh-2025 has begun in Kyrgyzstan, Caliber.Az reports, citing the CSTO press service.

According to the statement, the command and staff exercise will take place from September 17 to 20 at the training center of military unit 20636 of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defence.

Personnel and military equipment from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Tajikistan have already arrived in the city of Balykchy on the shores of Issyk-Kul, where the active phase will be conducted at the Edelweiss training range.

The CSTO Joint Press Center noted that the exercises are aimed at improving preparation and operations for the neutralisation of illegal armed groups that intrude into the territory of a member state in the Central Asian region.

CSTO Chief of the Joint Staff, Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov, emphasised that the exercises are routine and not directed against any third countries.

Over 160 military personnel from the defence ministries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan are participating in the drills.

By Khagan Isayev