CSTO Begins Simulated Peacekeeping Operation During Tajikistan Drills

Overview

• Colonel Rustam Khotamzoda announced the decision to run a full peacekeeping mission scenario at the Fakhrabad training ground, triggering detailed planning and coordination by CSTO units.
• Training tasks include operating checkpoints and roadblocks, managing refugee centers, escorting convoys, delivering aid, maintaining a ceasefire, clearing explosives, evacuating civilians, providing medical care, and repelling a simulated checkpoint attack.
• The active phase runs October 20–24 in Tajikistan and is synchronized with the final stage of the CIS Commonwealth Anti‑Terror 2025 drills.
• Roughly 1,500 personnel and more than 200 pieces of equipment are involved, including six helicopters and over 20 UAVs from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
• Barrier 2025 is being conducted for the first time as a joint NBC protection and medical support formation focused on biological safety, with the Russian contingent centered on units from the 201st military base.