Vladimir Putin visited the Center-2026 exercises at the Chebarkulsky training ground

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday visited the Chebarkulsky training ground in the Chelyabinsk region, where he observed the stage of the strategic command and staff exercises Center-2026, a RIA Novosti correspondent reports.

The Center-2026 exercises take place from September 28 to October 3, they are associated with the Interaction-2026 command post exercises, which are held within the framework of the CSTO.

The President observed the progress of the military exercises. He also talked with military attaches from different countries and got acquainted with samples of military equipment and equipment. In addition, Putin heard reports on the progress of the exercises.

The total number of troops at the Chebarkulsky training ground is more than 6 thousand military personnel. More than 600 pieces of equipment are involved, including airplanes and helicopters, UAVs of various modifications and robotic systems.

The Center-2026 exercises are conducted in two stages. In total, they involve over 47 thousand people, more than 2 thousand units of weapons and military equipment, including 90 aircraft, 77 warships and support vessels.

Russia chairs the CSTO in 2026, so training events according to the organization’s plan are taking place simultaneously with the Center-2026 exercises in a single operational environment. Representatives of 41 states are taking part in the exercises - this is the first time such a number of participants have been represented. Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Tajikistan sent their military contingents. The defense departments of Kazakhstan and Congo are represented in the role of operational groups. Thirty-three states are represented by observers.