The Russian military will share with the CSTO contingents the experience gained during its
Practical actions within the framework of the exercises of the forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have begun in Tajikistan "The milestone is 2024". During them, for the first time, Russian servicemen will share their unique experience gained during a special military operation, and military contingents will work out coherence in the fight against terrorists in mountainous areas, including with the help of UAVs. Experts note that the special emphasis on the use of drones was made for a reason — they are well suited for operations in remote areas.
What will be worked out at the exercises "Rubezh-2024"
Joint exercises of the units of the collective rapid reaction forces of the Central Asian region of the CSTO "Rubezh-2024" are taking place at the Harbmaydon training ground in Tajikistan. At them, the military personnel of the 201st Russian military base will transfer the combat experience gained during the CSTO to the military contingents of the CSTO. They will demonstrate modern methods and methods of warfare, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Representatives of the military contingents of friendly countries will see the storming of settlements and strongholds, army tactical shooting, the use of FPV drones, as well as the dumping of ammunition from UAVs. In addition, the military personnel of the allied states will be shown ways and methods of protecting military equipment from being hit by attack drones, covert equipment of command and observation posts and the covert launch of reconnaissance drones.
Photo: joint press center of the CSTO exercises
Image source: iz.ru
In conclusion, Russian military personnel will demonstrate ways to counter drones with electronic warfare (EW) and small arms.
The basis of the Russian military contingent consists of units of the 201st military base of the Central Military District (CVO): mountain, motorized rifle, artillery, reconnaissance, as well as UAV calculations, communications and electronic warfare units, the Russian military department noted.
Photo: joint press center of the CSTO exercises
Image source: iz.ru
The total number of participants in the exercises is about 1,500 people and 250 units of military and special equipment, including airplanes, helicopters and UAVs, the joint press center of the CSTO exercises reported.
The nature of the fighting in the zone of its own is constantly changing — and this experience needs to be studied, said military expert Alexei Leonkov.
"First of all, the experience of working against enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups will be in demand at the exercises in Tajikistan," he said. — In such actions, as SVO has shown, the role of drones is important. They are necessary at all stages — tracking, blockade and elimination of saboteurs. UAVs can detect the DRG from the air, trace its path, and cause damage to personnel by dumping. When destroying saboteur formations, drones effectively correct artillery fire and air strikes. These things will be very useful to the armies of friendly states.
Photo: joint press center of the CSTO exercises
Image source: iz.ru
According to the expert, also during the exercises, the optimal composition of anti-sabotage forces and the amount of equipment that needs to be used during such operations will be clarified once again.
In addition, the expert drew attention to the change in tactics of the DRG — in particular, UAVs appeared in their arsenal, including FPV drones, which are used as kamikazes.
— You need to be able to defend yourself from them, — he noted. — And our army has a unique experience in countering kamikaze. A whole range of measures is used here — from electronic warfare stations to so-called barbecues. Moreover, it is necessary to be able to drive equipment with additional protection, and it is better to acquire these skills in exercises, rather than in combat conditions.
Photo: joint press center of the CSTO exercises
Image source: iz.ru
The armies of the countries that are members of the CSTO work according to the same standards, military expert Dmitry Litovkin told Izvestia.
— During such exercises, joint actions of units are practiced, — he explained. — In the future, this will allow you to act reliably and consistently, military personnel have a feeling of elbow. There is an exchange of experience between the armies of different countries. Exercises are only part of a serious activity. The CSTO is not just an exercise. There are also supplies of Russian equipment to the countries that are members of this organization. Future and current officers from the CSTO countries study at Russian military universities.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
The expert recalled that anti-terrorist exercises are held not only in Tajikistan, but also in Kazakhstan, as well as at Russian training grounds.
The importance of Afghanistan for the Central Asian region
The CSTO structure was initially built based on the risks that Afghanistan poses to the entire Central Asian region, Stanislav Pritchin, Head of the Central Asia Sector at IMEMO RAS, told Izvestia.
"They are much lower now than they were a few years ago," he said. — The situation has relatively stabilized. The Taliban movement (banned in Russia. — Izvestia) managed to form a government for the first time in many years and gain control over the entire territory of the country. But hot spots that carry risks remain for the Taliban itself and for its neighbors. Participants of the ISIS defeated in Afghanistan (the organization is banned in Russia. — Izvestia) went home, including returning to the countries of Central Asia. There is cross-border crime, drug trafficking is underway. Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan is 1,300 km, and it runs mainly through mountainous terrain.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
For these reasons, the need to work out joint actions in mountainous areas has not disappeared, the expert noted.
— The request from the same Tajikistan for its protection, coordination of efforts with CSTO partners remained. Such actions must be practiced on an ongoing basis in order to be ready for any development of events," Stanislav Pritchin summed up.
Anti-terrorist "Frontier"
Exercises of the collective rapid deployment forces of the Central Asian region of the CSTO "Rubezh" have been held since 2004. Last year, the exercises practiced conducting a peacekeeping operation and ensuring a ceasefire. And in 2022, a joint artillery grouping of units of the Central Military District and the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan stopped the advance of the main forces of the "militants" deep into the territory of the state. The same task is facing this year. Usually, the exercises "Rubezh" take place in October and about 1 thousand military personnel of the armies of the CSTO countries take part in them.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Vladimir Matveev
Julia Leonova
