A special exercise of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) armed forces, which began Monday in the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan, includes new training to deal with the consequences of a biological emergency for the first time.

The core of the new unit formed within the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) of the CSTO is made up of Russian specialists from research units of the Russian Ministry of Defense who will be involved in concrete actions to counter an infection particularly dangerous fictitious of unknown origin.

The training of CSTO forces began in Kazakhstan on September 26, but the active phase of the exercises is taking place at the Matybulak training ground from October 3 to 7 in the harsh conditions of a mountainous desert area.

The military contingents of the CSTO member countries practice the preparation and conduct of joint operations on the localization of armed conflict in the Central Asian region of collective security.

The intergovernmental military alliance organization of former Soviet states, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in addition to Russia, is deeply concerned about security threats emanating from Afghan territory since the Taliban takeover of Kabul last year.

Agreeing that the situation in Afghanistan remains tense, characterized by instability and potential danger, the major joint training events of the CSTO are taking place in the Central Asia region in 2022.

Even as Moscow’s “special military operation” continues in Ukraine, more than 6,500 personnel and more than 850 units of military and special equipment – including planes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles from military contingents of CSTO member states – are involved in ongoing combat training events.

The operational groups of the Joint Staff and the CSTO Secretariat, the formation of special forces among the special units of internal affairs (police) organs, security agencies and special services, as well as authorized organs in the field of prevention and elimination of consequences, take part in emergency drills.

“For the first time, a new formation of the CSTO Armed Forces will be involved in practical actions – a joint division of radiation protection, chemical and biological protection and medical support,” the chief of staff said on Monday. of the CSTO Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Secretary General of the CSTO, Takhir Khairulloev, and representatives of the armed forces of the countries participating in the exercises.

“The year 2022 is characterized by a worsening of the situation in all CSTO collective security regions. Under these conditions, the troops of the CSTO (Collective Forces) must remain constantly ready to perform their intended tasks, including in the conditions of modern proxy warriors and armed conflicts with an enemy operating under a false flag, by proxy” , added the Russian army. General.

Host Kazakhstan’s first deputy defense minister and head of its armed forces, Lt. Gen. Marat Khusainov, also stressed the growing importance of the organization in ensuring stability and security in the region.

“CSTO countries are strategic partners and allies, and the upcoming exercises will not only serve as a tool to improve military combat skills and the coherence of collective forces, but will also become an example of international military cooperation.” efficient, successful in the direction of experience sharing,” Khusainov said.

The 200-strong Russian military contingent consists mainly of military personnel from the 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan as well as units of the logistics brigades of the Central Military District of Kemerovo and Samara regions.

While the transfer of a majority of Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment from Tajikistan was carried out by IL-76 aircraft from Gissar airfield to southern Kazakhstan, the district logistics support brigades Central military, stationed in the Kemerovo and Samara regions, arrived in the exercise area by rail.

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