VITEBSK DISTRICT, 16 October (BelTA) – The command and staff exercise Nerushimoye Bratstvo 2020 [Indestructible Brotherhood] for peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization was one of the steps towards stronger regional and international security, BelTA learned from Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin.
Evaluating results of the large-scale exercise that took place in the military exercise area Losvido in Vitebsk District, the official noted that the intended goals had been achieved and the missions had been fulfilled. Commanding officers and staffs had an opportunity to practice and polish their skills. “I can say with confidence the exercise was not only a venue for practicing the sharing of the best practices and for polishing skills of the troops. It was also a venue for improving cohesion of the troops of the CSTO member states, our nations. The exercise is one of the steps towards stepping up regional and international security,” the Belarusian defense minister noted.
It was the first Indestructible Brotherhood exercise that had been held as a command and staff exercise. The inclusion of a CSTO peacemaking mission into the exercise was one of the key peculiarities. “During the exercise the mission practiced the entire set of military, political, social, economic, and humanitarian influence measures to stabilize the situation in a crisis area. We see that the exercise is taking place against the background of a complicated situation in some countries and regions. Unfortunately, we witness the emergence of new challenges and risks to peace and security. In these conditions it is important to consolidate all efforts of allies, regional and international organizations. Belarus pursues a peace-loving policy and has hosted negotiations on resolving conflict situations. With this background in mind the tasks that the exercise set out to accomplish are very important for us,” Viktor Khrenin added.
The command and staff exercise Nerushimoye Bratstvo 2020 [Indestructible Brotherhood] ended in Vitebsk District on 16 October. Contingents of the CSTO member states, operations groups of the CSTO Joint Staff and the CSTO Secretariat, police forces, and emergency response and rescue workers took part in the exercise. A total of over 900 people and over 120 units of military hardware and special hardware, including flying drones and helicopters, were deployed as part of the exercise.
Official delegations of the CSTO member states, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other international organizations took part in the event. Military attachés representing 14 countries and accredited with the Belarusian Defense Ministry observed the final stage of the exercise. They represented Bulgaria, Venezuela, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Germany, Czechia, and Tajikistan. A special briefing was arranged for the foreign military attachés.
