The exercises in Kazakhstan brought together 1.5 thousand military personnel from four countries and more than a hundred UAVs.
The "Frontier" 2026 CSTO exercises in Kazakhstan can work out two scenarios: the emergence of illegal armed groups in one of the Central Asian republics and the invasion of armed groups from Afghanistan, experts interviewed by "Izvestia" believe. The active phase of the maneuvers started on September 14 and will last until September 18. About 1.5 thousand people and more than 300 pieces of equipment from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are participating in the exercises. The CSTO notes that the maneuvers take place taking into account the fundamental changes in the nature of modern warfare.
How the exercises "Frontier-2026" began
On September 14, the active phase of the CSTO exercises "Frontier-2026" began at the Koktal training ground in Kazakhstan. The Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian region are taking part in the maneuvers. Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have sent their military contingents.
CSTO Deputy Secretary General Mirlan Turgunbekov during the opening ceremony of the "Frontier-2026" exercises
Image source: Photo: TASS
The Russian side is represented by military personnel of the Central Military District from the 201st Guards Military Base. In total, about 1.5 thousand people are participating in the maneuvers, more than 300 units of military and special equipment are involved, including 115 UAVs for various purposes.
CSTO Deputy Secretary General Mirlan Turgunbekov noted at the opening ceremony of the exercises that they are being held in the context of a crisis in the system of international relations and the preservation of conflict potential in the Central Asian region.
Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, Major General Askar Zholamanov, said that joint training of forces and means to prevent and eliminate sources of threats, including those related to terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as working out coordinated actions of units contribute to the formation of a reliable security system.
"The experience of recent armed conflicts indicates a fundamental change in the nature of hostilities," said Lieutenant General Ruslan Shpekbayev, Deputy Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff. — The massive use of high-precision weapons, the entire range of unmanned aerial vehicles and reconnaissance means preclude the creation of large groups and bases both near the line of contact and in the deep rear.
Deputy Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, Lieutenant General Ruslan Shpekbayev
Image source: Photo: TASS
According to the CSTO Joint Headquarters, during the exercises "Frontier-2026" issues of preparation and conduct of military operations to destroy illegal armed groups that invaded the territory of a member state of the organization are being worked out.
What scenarios can be worked out at the exercises "Frontier-2026"
According to military expert Yuri Lyamin, two possible scenarios will be worked out during the exercises.
"The contingents will practice actions against militant groups that may appear in one of the republics as a result of internal problems, and then try to cross the border of a neighboring state," the expert explained.
Another potential threat is an attempted invasion by armed groups from Afghanistan, Lyamin added. According to him, the Taliban's power is quite stable at the moment, but it is impossible to predict how the situation will develop in the future.
Photo: TASS
Image source: iz.ru
— Therefore, it is always necessary to practice actions in case of such situations. At the moment, there are no direct threats in the region, but the exercises are conducted in order to consider potential threats that may arise in the foreseeable future. We need to be prepared so that any trouble does not come as a surprise," concluded Yuri Lyamin.
What experience can the Russian military transfer to the allies?
The Russian military can transfer to the CSTO allies the experience of conducting modern high-intensity combat operations, military expert Yuri Knutov believes.
"If the tasks of the anti—terrorist operation are being worked out, then the use of aviation, tanks, and artillery will be relevant," he explained. — But reconnaissance and attack drones will play a key role. And this experience is extremely important for the CSTO armies, because today none of them has it. And if you fight using the old methods, you can be defeated very quickly.
According to Yuri Knutov, Russia has some of the most modern models of tanks, armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, aviation and air defense systems. At the same time, the expert believes, the integrated use of various types of weapons is of particular importance, taking into account the increased role of unmanned aircraft.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
Image source: iz.ru
— Russia has enormous advantages, — said Yuri Knutov. — The integrated use of various types of weapons with the priority of unmanned aircraft is the main trump card and the main argument of the Russian army. We are the legislators in this direction, and none of the armies will teach us how to conduct combat operations.
In general, the "Frontier-2026" allows the allies not only to work out cooperation in the event of threats in Central Asia, but also to check the readiness of troops for the modern nature of hostilities. Special attention is paid to the use of drones, intelligence and unit coordination. For the CSTO countries, such maneuvers become an opportunity to learn from Russia's practical experience and improve the coherence of collective forces.
Roman Kretsul
