ODKB military maneuvers at the Chebarkulsky training ground

The opening ceremony took place at the Chebarkulsky training ground, the Russian Ministry of Defense said. Military personnel from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan arrived in the Chelyabinsk region.

According to the Joint Staff of the ODKB, the main purpose of the maneuvers is to practice a joint operation aimed at controlling a hypothetical border conflict. It was also announced that the readiness of troops and command structures to perform joint tasks would be checked.

Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov, quoted by RIA Novosti, stated that the exercises are planned and not directed against third countries.

The Russian Ministry of Defense argues that the strengthening of the combat potential of the ODKB is due to the complicated political and military situation in the world, the deterioration of international relations and the areas of instability approaching the borders of the countries belonging to the organization.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization is a military-political alliance bringing together Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia. Armenia has recently limited its participation in the activities of ODKB structures and does not participate in some of the organization's joint ventures.