Russia increases combat readiness at military bases in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
The Russian Defense Ministry is taking measures to prevent the infiltration of militants from the northern provinces of Afghanistan into the territories of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) allies in Central Asia, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
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"To this end, we will raise the combat readiness of Russian military bases in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, equip them with modern weapons and military equipment. We will also help our regional partners increase the combat capabilities of their armed forces, jointly plan their use," he said on Tuesday in Beijing, at a meeting of defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Mr. Shoigu noted that in March this year, counter-terrorism exercises at the command level were held in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
"In September, the joint exercise "Issyk-Kul - Antiterror 2018" with the participation of various security forces is planned. In October, a number of exercises with the collective forces of the CSTO will be held. These exercises will be held in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, respectively, according to a single plan," he said.
