The active phase of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Rubezh 2026 exercise with the participation of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian region, has begun at the Kotal training ground in Kazakhstan, Vladislav Shchegrikovich, the press secretary of the CSTO Joint Staff, told TASS.

“Approximately 1,500 military personnel and more than 300 pieces of weaponry, military, and specialized equipment, including 115 unmanned aerial vehicles, are involved. The field exercises are being conducted with due consideration for the specific features of the mountainous and desert terrain and include coordination with units of the Border Service and the National Guard of Kazakhstan,” the Defense Ministry of Kazakhstan reported.

During the exercises, participants are practicing the preparation and conduct of combat operations aimed at eliminating illegal armed groups that have invaded the territory of a CSTO member state.