BREST, 1 September (BelTA) – A solemn ceremony to begin the joint operational and strategic exercise Boyevoye Bratstvo 2023 [Combat Brotherhood] of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries took place in the memorial complex Brest Hero Fortress, BelTA has learned.
Military contingents of five countries take part in the exercise: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. A total of over 2,500 military personnel and over 500 units of weaponry, military and special hardware will be deployed for the exercise. The Combat Brotherhood 2023 exercise is taking place in line with the plan on the joint training of command and control bodies and units of the collective security system of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Wreaths and flowers had been laid at the Eternal Fire in the fortress before the opening ceremony. A minute of silence was held in honor of the fallen fortress defenders and all the heroes, who died in the name of freedom and independence of the Motherland during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov greeted participants of the exercise. He thanked the Belarusian Defense Ministry for massive preparations and for enabling the conditions for this important event in the glorious and courageous land of Brest. He remarked that the Combat Brotherhood 2023 exercise is taking place in a complicated international environment. An integrated approach is a peculiarity of this year's exercise.
The CSTO secretary general said: “Today the successful realization of operations requires not only the use of military force. A systemic approach is needed, which provides for tight communication and interaction of an entire spectrum of forces and assets. New challenges and threats to security had shaped the format of the exercise to a large degree. According to the single scenario, we are conducting joint exercises for the CSTO collective rapid response forces Vzaimodeistviye 2023 [Interaction], the special exercise with reconnaissance forces and assets Poisk 2023 [Search], the exercise with logistics support forces and assets Eshelon 2023 [Echelon], and the exercise for nuclear, biological, and chemical protection troops and medical support Baryer 2023 [Barrier].”
Imangali Tasmagambetov added that in view of the rising geopolitical tensions efforts of the collective rapid response forces represent a vital condition for defending vital interests and for ensuring the security of the Collective Security Treaty Organization member states, for building a united and indivisible security system at the regional level. He wished successful accomplishment of missions to everyone.
Participants of the exercise were also greeted by Chairman of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee Yuri Shuleiko and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Defense Minister of Belarus Viktor Gulevich. “Worthy successors of the Great Victory generation stand in one rank today. I am convinced that participation in joint exercises will build up trust between the armed forces and nations of our countries,” Viktor Gulevich said and declared Combat Brotherhood 2023 open.
Flags of the CSTO member states were hoisted while accompanied by the national anthems. The national contingents marched by to end the opening ceremony.
The Combat Brotherhood 2023 supervisor Andrei Matiyevich talked to reporters and noted that the exercise will begin the active phase on 1 September. The officer said: “The staffs have started planning a joint operation. The troops continue improving their combat prowess. During the active phase we intend to practice a number of special missions of current interest. First of all, comprehensive support for the operation of a highway strip for repeated use by aviation units. The combined force of nuclear, biological, and chemical protection troops and medical support personnel will practice quarantining an area. Apart from that, a counterterrorism operation will be practiced at an installation of vital importance for the population.”
The first stage of the Combat Brotherhood 2023 exercise will take place in the military training areas Brestsky, Gozhsky, Domanovsky, Obuz-Lesnovsky, Chepelevo, and Lesishche on 1-6 September.
