The Boyevoye Bratstvo(Combat Brotherhood) 2023 military training of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states has started in Belarus.
A total of over 2,500 military personnel and over 500 units of weaponry, military and special hardware have been deployed for the exercises which began on Friday, September 1, 2023.
The training will last till Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
The exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization include troops from Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Armenia is also a member of the CSTO but did not send any of its forces.
In January, Armenia said that it would not host CSTO drills this year amid tense relations with Russia.
Belarus’ defense ministry said the exercises are to prepare for joint operations, including responses to a nuclear accident.
At a solemn ceremony held to mark the commencement of the joint operational and strategic exercises, CSTO Secretary General, Imangali Tasmagambetov, thanked the Belarusian Defense Ministry for massive preparations made for the trainings to take place.
Tasmagambetov noted that the Boyevoye Bratstvo (Combat Brotherhood) 2023 exercise is taking place in a complicated international environment.
“Today the successful realization of operations requires not only the use of military force. A systemic approach is needed, which provides for tight communication and interaction of an entire spectrum of forces and assets.”
Imangali Tasmagambetov
“New challenges and threats to security has shaped the format of the exercise to a large degree,” he added.
Tasmagambetov stressed that in view of the rising geopolitical tensions, efforts of the collective rapid response forces represent a vital condition for defending vital interests and for ensuring the security of the CSTO member states, for building a united and indivisible security system at the regional level.
He also disclosed the kinds of training exercises to be held.
“We are conducting joint exercises for the CSTO collective rapid response forces Vzaimodeistviye 2023 [Interaction], the special exercise with reconnaissance forces and assets Poisk 2023 [Search], the exercise with logistics support forces and assets Eshelon 2023 [Echelon], and the exercise for nuclear, biological, and chemical protection troops and medical support Baryer 2023 [Barrier].”
Imangali Tasmagambetov
Chairman of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee, Yuri Shuleiko and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Defense Minister of Belarus, Viktor Gulevich, also greeted the paricipants present.
“I am convinced that participation in joint exercises will build up trust between the armed forces and nations of our countries,” Viktor Gulevich said as declared the Combat Brotherhood 2023 training open.
According to the Belarusian Defense Ministry, the troops practiced the organization of inventory and logistics management during the special exercise with logistics support forces and assets, Eshelon 2023 (Echelon).
Providing fuel and lubricants to the combined unit of the CSTO collective rapid response forces on a massive scale was also practiced.
Meanwhile, Serhii Naiev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in comments on the start of the training, stated that the number of military there is not sufficient for creating a grouping for ground offensive, but Ukraine’s defence forces will strengthen the defence of the state border anyway.
“Of course, we are reacting [to this]. All commanders have received clear instructions about strengthening the defence of the state border of Ukraine and being on high alert on all combat positions,” he said.
Naiev added, “We realise that one should expect anything from the Russians. But they should know that we are always ready to react appropriately.”
READ ALSO: Albert Ondo Ossa Claims Bongo’s Family Has A Hand In Gabon Coup
