Moscow, The Europe Today: Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia paid significant attention to developing combat training for the CSTO Collective Forces during its chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in 2026. He made the remarks at an expanded meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Moscow while reviewing Russia’s priorities over the past year.
“Significant attention has traditionally been paid to improving the operational and combat training of the forces and assets of the collective security system,” President Putin said.
Large-Scale Joint Exercises Across Member States
The Russian President emphasised that a series of large-scale joint exercises had recently been conducted in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Russia, reflecting the Organization’s focus on improving coordination and readiness among member states’ armed forces.
Interaction-2026 Drills in Chelyabinsk Region
In particular, President Putin recalled that the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces successfully conducted the Interaction-2026 drills in Russia’s Chelyabinsk Region. The exercise was combined with strategic command-and-staff exercises, allowing commanders and units to practise joint planning and operational coordination on a larger scale.
The Interaction series is among the CSTO’s regular joint military exercises, designed to test the readiness of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces to respond to crises and security threats within the Organization’s area of responsibility.
Modern Weapons for the CSTO Collective Forces
President Putin also noted that systematic work had been carried out throughout the year to equip the CSTO Collective Forces with modern weapons and military equipment, an effort aimed at strengthening their combat capability and interoperability.
Russia’s Chairmanship Draws to a Close
The expanded meeting of the Collective Security Council brought together the leaders of CSTO member states to review the Organization’s performance in 2026 and set priorities for the period ahead. Russia’s chairmanship concludes at the end of the year, with Tajikistan set to assume the chairmanship of the CSTO in 2027.
The emphasis on joint training, large-scale exercises and modernisation of equipment underlines the importance member states attach to collective preparedness amid a complex regional and international security environment.
