# Russian and CSTO joint military exercises

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russian-and-csto-joint-military-exercises
> Updated: 2026-10-02T15:53:41.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

In late September 2026, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) initiated joint military exercises in Russia at the Chebarkulsky training ground. The program consisted of three specific operations: ‘Interaction 2026’, ‘Search 2026’, and ‘Echelon 2026’. CSTO Joint Staff Chief Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov noted the exercises were necessitated by a “complex global military-political situation” and increasing instability near member state borders.

By early October, these maneuvers were integrated with the broader ‘Center-2026’ strategic command-and-staff exercise. This larger operation involved over 47,000 servicemen, 2,000 weapons and vehicles, 90 aircraft, and 77 warships operating across 11 training grounds and the Caspian Sea. Participants included military contingents from Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

President Vladimir Putin observed the drills, stating the objective was to improve leadership skills for “repelling external aggression.” The military scenarios reportedly utilized experience gained from the special military operation in Ukraine and included testing of new weapons and equipment. Delegations from 55 foreign countries attended the proceedings.

## Claims

- The Center-2026 exercise involves more than 47,000 servicemen operating across 11 training grounds and the Caspian Sea. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The drills utilize approximately 2,000 weapons and military vehicles, 90 aircraft and helicopters, and 77 warships and support vessels. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The military scenarios were developed using experience gained from the special military operation in Ukraine. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Center-2026 drills are being held alongside the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s Interaction-2026 exercise. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Delegations from 55 foreign countries were present at the observation of the drills. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Military contingents from Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Tajikistan are participating in the maneuvers. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The primary goal of the exercise is to improve leadership and staff skills in controlling troops to repel external aggression. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Chebarkulsky phase of the exercise involved 6,000 troops and over 600 drones. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-02: Russia conducts Center-2026 strategic military exercises

President Vladimir Putin observed Russia's Center-2026 military exercises, involving 47,000 troops and new weaponry, designed to improve command skills against external aggression.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vladimir-putin-supervises-tsentr-2026-military-exercises

### 2026-09-27: CSTO forces begin joint military exercises in Russia

CSTO member states have launched joint military exercises in Russia, including ‘Interaction 2026’, ‘Search 2026’, and ‘Echelon 2026’, to enhance combat readiness amid global instability.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/csto-forces-begin-joint-military-exercises-in-russia

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Cite as: Russian and CSTO joint military exercises. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russian-and-csto-joint-military-exercises