Chelyabinsk Region, October 3, 2026 – The Europe Today: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the Chebarkul training ground of the Central Military District on October 2, where he observed the ongoing Center-2026 strategic command and staff exercises, according to media reports.
The Center-2026 exercises are being conducted from September 28 to October 3.
The main theme of the drills is “The use of troop (force) groupings in repelling aggression on the Central Asian strategic axis and ensuring military security in the Caspian Sea zone.”
According to information released about the exercises, the drills are aimed at improving the practical skills of commanders and headquarters of military formations in managing troop groupings.
The exercises involve the implementation of command-and-control procedures and coordination among participating formations as part of efforts to enhance their readiness to respond to security challenges along the designated strategic axis.
President Putin’s visit to the Chebarkul training ground included observation of the ongoing military activities as part of the Center-2026 exercise programme.
