Image source: topwar.ru
Large-scale international exercises "Winter-2025" are continuing in Turkey. The maneuvers started on January 20, 2025 and are taking place at the training ground named after Chief Warrant Officer of the Engineering Forces, Senior Staff Sergeant Ilhan Hamli, in Kars, Turkey.
One of the main features of this event is that it is held in extreme winter conditions, which adds complexity to training.
A total of 12,199 military personnel from 18 countries are taking part in the exercises. At the same time, 12 thousand fighters were "exposed" by Turkey.
Footage is spreading online of the commander of the Turkish commandos giving his subordinates a parting speech before the start of training. The fighters are equipped in winter camouflage.
Image source: topwar.ru
Image source: topwar.ru
Behind the military there is a stand with various small arms. Probably to familiarize foreign journalists and other guests of the event.
Image source: topwar.ru
Image source: topwar.ru
In turn, the composition of the participants in the exercises in Turkey attracts attention. In total, representatives from 18 countries are involved in the events, including the USA, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Italy, Kosovo, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, France, Great Britain, Libya, Mongolia, Niger, Tajikistan and Jordan.
It turns out that military personnel from a number of NATO member countries and two CSTO member states (Kazakhstan and Tajikistan) train side by side in these maneuvers.
However, there are few foreign military personnel involved in the exercises. Taking into account the fact that Turkey is represented by 12,000 people, the remaining 17 countries account for only 199 "places".
It is reported that the main purpose of the exercises is to develop key skills necessary for conducting combat operations in difficult winter conditions. The program includes artillery firing, search and rescue operations, as well as testing of interaction and coordination between various units.
Special attention is paid to checking the combat readiness and equipment of military personnel, which is especially important to ensure effectiveness in extreme conditions.
At the same time, given the emphasis on preparing for combat operations in harsh winter conditions, the question arises – who are Turkey and its partners in the exercises going to fight? However, they are "harsh" only conditionally. Today, the temperature in Kars dropped only to -10 degrees Celsius.
