Putin observes Center-2026 military drills in the Urals

Center-2026 military exercises Vladimir Putin CSTO Ural Mountains

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Chebarkulsky training ground in the Chelyabinsk region of the Ural Mountains to observe the final phase of the Center-2026 strategic command-and-staff exercises. The maneuvers, which began on September 28 and run through October 3, involve more than 47,000 servicemen operating across 11 training grounds and the Caspian Sea.

The Center-2026 drills are being conducted in parallel with the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s (CSTO) Interaction-2026 exercise. Participating military contingents include forces from Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, with operational groups from Kazakhstan and the Congo also involved. Additionally, delegations from 55 countries attended as observers.

During the inspection, Putin reviewed various weaponry, including new jet-powered Geran drones. He noted that the military scenarios were developed using experience gained from the special military operation in Ukraine. The drills utilize approximately 2,000 weapons and military vehicles, 90 aircraft and helicopters, and 77 warships and support vessels. The visit follows recent warnings from Moscow to NATO regarding the defense of the Kaliningrad exclave.

Entities

Andrei Belousov · Caspian Sea · Center-2026 · Chelyabinsk Region · China · Collective Security Treaty Organization · Russia · Tsentr-2026 · Vladimir Putin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] The drills utilize approximately 2,000 weapons and military vehicles, 90 aircraft and helicopters, and 77 warships and support vessels. southfront.press · noticiaslatam.lat · sputniknews.in · www.prensa-latina.cu · sputnikglobe.com
[DISPUTED] Delegations from 55 foreign countries were present at the observation of the drills. sputniknews.in · sputnikglobe.com · noticiaslatam.lat · www.arabnews.pk · www.newsday.com · +9 more
[● 15 SOURCES] The Center-2026 drills are being held alongside the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s Interaction-2026 exercise. southfront.press · sputniknews.in · sputnikglobe.com · www.prensa-latina.cu · www.newsday.com · +10 more
[● 13 SOURCES] The primary goal of the exercise is to improve leadership and staff skills in controlling troops to repel external aggression. southfront.press · sputnikglobe.com · rtv7.ba · vesnik.com · novi.ba · +7 more
[● 20 SOURCES] The Center-2026 exercise involves more than 47,000 servicemen operating across 11 training grounds and the Caspian Sea. southfront.press · noticiaslatam.lat · sputniknews.in · www.prensa-latina.cu · www.arabnews.pk · +14 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The Chebarkulsky phase of the exercise involved 6,000 troops and over 600 drones. southfront.press · www.arabnews.pk · www.newsday.com · www.upday.com · rtv7.ba · +5 more
[● 17 SOURCES] Military contingents from Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Tajikistan are participating in the maneuvers. sputniknews.in · www.prensa-latina.cu · sputniknews.cn · www.arabnews.pk · www.newsday.com · +11 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The military scenarios were developed using experience gained from the special military operation in Ukraine. southfront.press · sputniknews.in · sputnikglobe.com · rtv7.ba · novi.ba · +4 more