
Representatives of almost 60 states take part in strategic command and staff exercises at the Chebarkulsky training ground
AI-generated summary
Exercises "Center-2026" are conducted in accordance with the training plan of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The event covers the Central Asian strategic direction.
CHELYABINSK REGION, October 2 - RIA Novosti. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said that starting September 28, in accordance with the training plan of the Russian Armed Forces, the strategic command and staff exercise "Center-2026" is being held.
“The event involves troops of the Central Military District, formations and military units of the Aerospace Forces, Airborne Forces, formations and military units of central subordination, as well as forces of the Caspian Flotilla,” Belousov said in a report to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the final stage of the Center-2026 exercise.
He clarified that representatives of almost 60 states, forces and means of the CSTO collective security system are taking part in the exercise.
“Seven countries sent their military contingents. The Congolese defense department is represented by an operational group, 51 states are observers,” added the head of the Russian Defense Ministry.
According to him, the total number of troops at the Chebarkulsky training ground is about 6 thousand military personnel.
“About 700 pieces of equipment, more than 600 unmanned aerial vehicles of various modifications and over 60 robotic systems are involved,” the minister specified.
He noted that training tasks are being solved as part of the operation of a group of troops in the Central Asian strategic direction.

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.