Russia hosts joint military exercises involving CSTO member states

Joint command-and-staff and special exercises involving member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) — “Interaction-2026,” “Search-2026” and “Echelon-2026” — have begun in Russia, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The opening ceremony was held at the Chebarkul training range, Russian media reports.

Military contingents from CSTO member states are taking part in the exercises. The ceremony was attended by CSTO Joint Staff Chief Andrei Serdyukov, CSTO Deputy Secretary General Mirlan Turgunbekov, commanders of the participating military contingents and other representatives of member states.

Serdyukov said the exercises are one of the key stages of the CSTO’s training program for 2026.

During the drills, servicemen from the organization’s member states are conducting joint training and practicing coordination between units. The “Interaction,” “Search” and “Echelon” exercises are among the CSTO’s main operational and special training activities.

By Jeyhun Aghazada