Five countries have opened joint military exercises in Belarus under the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The drills cover peacekeeping, biological-threat response and medical support, bringing together troops and other security agencies. Belarus’s defence ministry put participation at more than 1,500 personnel, with ceremonies in Vitebsk and Staryya Darohi marking the start.
The Collective Security Treaty Organization, a security alliance including Russia and Belarus, opened its Indestructible Brotherhood and Barrier exercises in Belarus on 11 October. The drills bring together contingents from Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Military formations are taking part alongside other security agencies in preparations for collective peacekeeping operations.[1], [2]
Belarus’s defence ministry put participation at more than 1,500 military and other personnel. It reported over 300 pieces of weapons, military and special equipment, including about 80 drones. Internal affairs agencies, police, internal troops and national guards joined the military contingents. Operational groups from the organisation’s Joint Staff and Secretariat also participated. The personnel and equipment totals are the ministry’s figures.[1]
Indestructible Brotherhood’s opening ceremony took place in Vitebsk, a city in Belarus. Barrier opened in Staryya Darohi and covers radiological, chemical and biological protection and medical support. Its declared task is to eliminate biological threats in the forces’ area of responsibility. CSTO Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Ruslan Shpekbayev described joint operations involving troops, law-enforcement units and national guards as a distinctive feature, stressing coordination among the participating agencies.[1]
