The President was accompanied by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Ural Federal District Artyom Zhoga, Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region Alexei Teksler, Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, and Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces Andrei Mordvichev.
The strategic exercise is being held from September 28 to October 3 in accordance with the Armed Forces training schedule and is being conducted in conjunction with the CSTO’s Interaction-2026 command post exercise.
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Training objectives are being addressed in the Central Asian strategic area and in the waters of the Caspian Sea. The drill involves more than 47,000 military personnel. Seven foreign states have contributed contingents to the exercise, and observers have arrived from 51 countries. More than 6,000 military personnel from Russia and other states, together with units of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force, are deployed at the Chebarkulsky training ground.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, comrades!
The Centre-2026 command post exercise is being held under the Armed Forces training plan, in conjunction with the Interaction-2026 exercise scheduled as part of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation’s plan.
The drill involves over 47,000 troops who are carrying out missions at 11 training areas as well as in the Caspian Sea. The main objective of the exercise is to improve the skills of commanders at all levels in repelling external aggression. The participants are practising the use of new weapons and military equipment, and all missions are being carried out based on the experience gained during the special military operation.
Today, here at the Chebarkul training ground, we are witnessing the final stage of the Centre-2026 and Interaction-2026 exercises. The active phase involves practical operations by more than 6,000 military personnel from Russia and other countries, as well as units of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force.
I would like to highlight that delegations from 55 foreign countries have arrived in Russia for these exercises. I would also like to extend a special welcome to the heads and representatives of the foreign defence agencies present here.
I am confident that the results of the Centre-2026 and Interaction-2026 exercises, along with the experience gained by the personnel, will enhance our effectiveness in responding to external threats to our countries’ security.
I would like to ask the Minister of Defence to report on the progress of the final stage of the exercises.
Please, proceed.
Minister of Defence Andrei Belousov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,
In accordance with the Russian Armed Forces’ training schedule, the Centre-2026 strategic command post exercise has been underway since September 28.
The exercise involves troops from the Central Military District; formations and units of the Aerospace Forces and Airborne Forces; formations and units under Central Command; and forces of the Caspian Flotilla.
In addition, representatives of nearly 60 countries are participating in the exercise, alongside forces and assets of the CSTO collective security system. Seven countries have deployed military contingents; the defence agency of the Republic of the Congo is represented by an operational group; and 51 countries have sent observers. The total number of troops at the Chebarkul training ground is approximately 6,000. Around 700 pieces of military hardware, more than 600 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types, and over 60 robotic systems are being engaged.
Training objectives are being addressed as part of the operations of the troop grouping in the Central Asian strategic area. The forces have completed their joint preparations and are ready for the active phase of the exercise.
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