Bishkek, Sept. 30, 2026. /Kabar/. The Collective Rapid Response Forces (CRRF) of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have started planning a joint operation to localize an armed conflict at the border as part of the Vzaimodeistviye 2026 [Interaction] exercise, the joint press center of the CSTO exercises told BelTA.
“Today in the Chebarkulsky military training area in Russia as part of the command staff exercise Interaction 2026 with the CSTO Collective Rapid Response Forces CRRF Commander Aleksei Sgibnev reported his decision on conducting a joint operation to localize an armed conflict at the border,” the press center said.
“Based on the assigned task, an assessment of the current situation, the probable actions of the enemy, and the operational-tactical calculations, we’ve decided to focus our main efforts on covering a section of the state border along the designated line and stabilizing the situation in a border area of Chelyabinsk Oblast,” Aleksei Sgibnev said.
The decision identified the areas for concentrating the main efforts during the joint operation, the tasks for military contingents and special operations forces, and the main matters of command and control, interaction, and comprehensive support. After the decision was approved, the CSTO CRRF command and control bodies started planning the operation.
During the Interaction 2026 exercise combat orders were issued to subordinate formations, military units, and subdivisions to prepare for and conduct combat (special) operations, the press center noted.
Russia is hosting the command staff exercise Interaction 2026 with the CSTO Collective Rapid Response Forces that is designed to practice preparations for and an actual joint operation to localize an armed conflict at the border, the special exercise with reconnaissance forces and assets Poisk 2026 [Search], and the special exercise with logistics support forces and assets Eshelon 2026 [Echelon].
The exercises involve military contingents (collective forces) of the CSTO member states of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. They include military contingents, special operations forces formed from special units of internal affairs bodies (police), security agencies and special services, authorized bodies responsible for preventing and eliminating the consequences of emergencies as well as operational groups of the CSTO Joint Staff and the CSTO Secretariat.
A total of about 2,000 servicemen and 350 units of weapons, military hardware, and special-purpose equipment are involved in the exercises. The exercises feature extensive use of various types of UAVs and robotic systems as well as practical training of troop operations taking into account the experience of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.
