Russia-led military bloc to hold 7 exercises in 2024

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) — The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russia-led military bloc, on Tuesday announced plans for seven exercises among its members over the course of next year.

The drills will take place in Russia, as well as the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the bloc's Secretary-General Imangali Tasmagambetov said at a CSTO Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Moscow.

"An extensive program of joint combat training events has been prepared for 2024, and a total of seven exercises are planned.

"The relevant events will be held on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan," he said.

According to Tasmagambetov, the exercises will involve the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces, Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Central Asian region, CSTO Peacekeeping Forces, forces and means of logistics, intelligence, and management bodies.

The CSTO was formed in 2002 and consists of six post-Soviet states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.