CSTO launches joint military drills in Tajikistan

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has launched its large-scale annual military exercises “Indestructible Brotherhood-2025” and “Barrier-2025” in Tajikistan, bringing together more than 1,500 personnel from across member states. 

The opening ceremony took place at the “Fakhrabad” training ground in Tajikistan and was attended by high-ranking officials, including Tajikistan’s Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Abdukodir Saidozoda; CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov; and Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov, Caliber.Az reports per the CSTO website. Military representatives from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, as well as invited officials, were also present.

The event began with a parade of peacekeeping contingents and the raising of national flags accompanied by the playing of member states’ anthems.

In his address, Lieutenant General Saidozoda emphasised the importance of maintaining collective readiness in light of regional instability.

"In a rapidly changing environment and with destabilizing factors concentrated in close proximity to our borders, the readiness of our collective forces and resources to perform their intended tasks is becoming increasingly important and relevant. The conduct of such large-scale joint trainings is dictated by the dynamically developing situation in our challenging region and underscores the need to combine the efforts of our countries in countering modern challenges and threats," he said. 

CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov underscored the strategic significance of the drills, noting that they are being held against a backdrop of heightened international tensions and persistent regional risks.

"In the context of a complex military-political situation and regional instability, CSTO peacekeeping forces must be constantly ready to conduct peacekeeping operations both within the Organization's area of responsibility and beyond it, under a UN mandate," the CSTO Secretary General said.

The “Indestructible Brotherhood-2025” exercises, which run from October 20 to 24, focus on the planning and execution of peacekeeping operations within the CSTO’s area of responsibility.

For the first time, the drills also incorporate a specialised component — “Barrier-2025” — involving the joint formation for radiation, chemical, and biological (NBC) protection and medical support. This unit operates under the command of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces and is tasked with ensuring biological safety for the coalition group.

Military contingents from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan are taking part, supported by operational groups from the CSTO Secretariat and Joint Staff. The Russian contingent includes troops from the 201st Military Base of the Central Military District, featuring mountain, communications, electronic warfare, NBC defense, and medical units, as well as UAV crews.

In total, around 1,500 personnel and over 200 units of military and special equipment, including six helicopters and more than 20 unmanned aerial vehicles, are participating.

The active phases of the CSTO exercises will be conducted jointly with the final stage of the Commonwealth of Independent States’ (CIS) counterterrorism drills, “Anti-Terror 2025."

By Sabina Mammadli