The objectives of the joint maneuvers will be the destruction of terrorists and actions to cover the state border.
Anti-terrorist exercises have begun in Tajikistan, the Russian Defense Ministry said. They involve units of the armies of Russia and Tajikistan. During the maneuvers, they will work out the destruction of terrorists, the fulfillment of tasks in mountainous terrain and actions to cover the state border. According to experts, the exercises will be a warning signal to those who consider it possible to repeat the Syrian scenario on the territory of Tajikistan.
Anti-terrorist exercises in Tajikistan-2025
The active phase of the exercises will last from April 7 to 11. During this period, the Armed Forces of Russia and Tajikistan will work out operations to eliminate illegal armed groups, as well as the management of units during operations to cover the state border.
Opening ceremony of the joint exercises of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan at the Kharb-Maidon mountain range
Image source: Photo: TASS/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
At the very beginning of the exercises, military personnel from the two countries marched in a single formation along the field camp's parade ground. The Russian contingent is based on units of the 201st Russian military base of the Central Military District, stationed in Tajikistan. It includes mountain, motorized rifle, tank, artillery and reconnaissance units, as well as helicopter units based on Mi-24 attack aircraft and Mi-8MTV transport and combat vehicles. In addition, communications specialists, operators of shock FPV drones, reconnaissance drones, as well as mobile electronic warfare groups will be involved in the exercise.
The maneuvers are taking place in the Khatlon region of Tajikistan at the Kharb-Maidon mountain-desert training ground.
Cool down the "hotheads"
During the exercises in Tajikistan, there is always an exchange of experience — tactical techniques and effective methods of using military equipment, including drones, gained during the fighting in Syria or Ukraine, military expert Alexei Leonkov told Izvestia.
"Our southern borders are the CIS countries that are located near hot regions," he explained. — Unfortunately, there are still terrorist organizations and gangs controlled by Western intelligence services. They also equip them with drones and provide intelligence. And it is important for us not to concede in any way to a potential enemy if he violates the state border of Tajikistan, and also to use UAVs most effectively not only as reconnaissance or strike elements, but also as aircraft carriers when hitting various enemy military equipment and firing points.
Opening ceremony of the joint exercises of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan at the Kharb-Maidon mountain range
Image source: Photo: TASS/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
These maneuvers are an element of deterrence, they are necessary to cool down the "hotheads", that is, those who think that the Syrian scenario can be repeated in Tajikistan, Andrey Grozin, head of the Central Asia department at the Institute of CIS Countries, told Izvestia.
— These maneuvers are planned and are not something extraordinary. Various military training activities are being conducted in Tajikistan to counter terrorist threats, drug trafficking, organized crime and illegal arms transfers. Belarusians recently conducted maneuvers there, and before that Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan," he said.
Photo: TASS/press service of the CSTO Joint Staff
Image source: iz.ru
However, the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border is now considered threatening in Dushanbe, the expert notes.
— So, in early March, the security forces were transferred to a permanent combat duty regime, and barracks were introduced for border guards, special services and security officers. And this happens every spring, because during this period the passes open. March, April, and May are the months when various terrorist projects are underway. Therefore, every six months, in autumn and spring, Tajikistan's law enforcement agencies strengthen. The exercises usually take place at the same time," Andrei Grozin explained.
Photo: TASS/press service of the CSTO Joint Staff
Image source: iz.ru
In addition, Tajikistan has the largest military contingent outside of Russia, the 201st base, he noted. It is the foundation of regional security, and its main purpose is to counter external challenges.
"Terrorist groups, even large ones, which may number not dozens, but hundreds of people, in my opinion, are quite easily fended off by the forces involved in the exercises," the expert concluded.
Results of the Rubezh-2024 maneuvers
Maneuvers of the armies of Russia and Tajikistan are conducted on a regular basis. The joint exercises of the collective rapid reaction forces of the Central Asian region of the CSTO "Rubezh-2024" were held at the Kharb-Maidon training ground in Tajikistan. During them, the military personnel of the 201st Russian military base transferred the combat experience gained during the CSTO to the CSTO military contingents. They will demonstrate modern methods and methods of warfare, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
T-90 tanks during the joint CSTO exercise with the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region (CSDB CAR) "Rubezh-2024" at the Kharb-Maidon training ground
Image source: Photo: TASS/Press Service of the CSTO Joint Staff
Representatives of the military contingents of friendly countries saw 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 were 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.
In conclusion, the Russian military demonstrated ways to counter drones with electronic warfare (EW) and small arms.
Julia Leonova
