
Large-scale military exercises are taking place in the Chelyabinsk region with the participation of contingents from six countries and observers from 41 states
AI-generated summary
The strategic command exercise "Center-2026" is held from September 28 to October 3. The event includes the participation of military contingents, task forces and observers from various countries.
Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan sent their military contingents, Kazakhstan and Congo are represented as operational groups at the Center-2026 exercise, the Kremlin says in reference materials for the working trip of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Chelyabinsk region.
The strategic command exercise "Center-2026" takes place from September 28 to October 3.
“Six foreign states (Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan) sent their military contingents. The defense departments of two countries (Kazakhstan and Congo) are represented as operational groups,” the materials say.
In total, representatives of 41 states take part in the exercise. Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Indonesia, North Korea, Qatar, Cambodia, Cuba, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Maldives, Malaysia, Mali, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Nicaragua, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Central African Republic sent their observers. Ethiopia, South Africa, South Ossetia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with military attaches from 51 countries at the Chebarkulsky training ground in the Chelyabinsk region, where international exercises took place. He noted the usefulness and interest of their joint work.

The Russian Ministry of Defense published video materials from the strategic command and staff exercise "Center-2026", which took place on October 2, 2026 at the Chebarkulsky training ground in the Chelyabinsk region. The footage shows ground robotic kits, drones, artillery strikes, the movement of attack aircraft on motorcycles and ATVs, the work of assault units and various modifications of tanks, including the T-14 Armata and an unmanned tank.

The head of the observer delegation from Laos, Major General Ophat Khomatan, highly appreciated the organization, master classes and demonstration of equipment at the Center-2026 exercises in the Chelyabinsk region, expressing hope for continued cooperation between Russia and Laos.

During the strategic command and staff exercise "Center-2026" at the Chebarkulsky training ground, more than 20 crews of counter-UAV platoons destroyed mock enemy drones using the "ramming" method, and crews of attack FPV drones hit ground control stations and enemy repeater antennas. More than 6 thousand military personnel and 600 pieces of equipment are involved in the training ground.

Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has been appointed head of the strategic command and staff exercise "Center-2026", which takes place from September 28 to October 3 at the Chebarkulsky training ground in the Chelyabinsk region. The exercise involves more than 47 thousand people and 2 thousand weapons, including more than 600 pieces of equipment, 55 airplanes and helicopters, more than 500 UAVs and more than 50 robotic systems. The arrival of foreign military contingents of the CSTO to prepare for the exercise from September 18 is also noted.

Video footage of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Chebarkulsky training ground has been published, where he observed the strategic command and staff exercises Center-2026, coupled with the CSTO exercises Interaction-2026, and listened to the report of Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.