Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to conduct exercises in connection with threats from Afghanistan

DUSHANBE (TASS): Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will hold a complex of exercises in connection with the threats against the background of the withdrawal of American troops and NATO contingents from Afghanistan, said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

“In general, if we talk about our cooperation, it is developing quite successfully. We are conducting a large complex of exercises with Tajikistan, associated with the threats that arise. Ahead are exercises with our Uzbek colleagues, then triple exercises – Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan. Hopefully, we will hold them on schedule and with the expected effect, “Shoigu said on Wednesday at a meeting with Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo.

Shoigu noted that “a lot of different kinds of risks and security threats are being created.” “But nevertheless, both within the CSTO and within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we must not only discuss issues, but also take appropriate decisions and appropriate measures to ensure the security of the borders and territories of the countries of the Collective Security Treaty. I hope to discuss all these issues with you. “, – said Shoigu, noting that a lot of work is underway to ensure the security of the Tajik-Afghan border.

The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation also specified that the meeting with the Minister of Defense of Tajikistan provides an opportunity to discuss security issues in the Central Asian region. “This is something that today worries not only us and affects not only our bilateral relations, but also the relations of all border states. We have something to discuss in terms of military-technical cooperation. Thank you for the invitation, we accepted it with pleasure. We hope to see you and at events in Moscow “, – added Shoigu.

Threats from Afghanistan

According to Shoigu, the surge in terrorist activity in Afghanistan against the background of the hasty withdrawal of foreign troops from this country and the rapid degradation of the situation require the adoption of appropriate measures, such work is already underway.

“Today, joint work to neutralize threats from the territory of neighboring Afghanistan comes to the fore. The hasty withdrawal of foreign troops from there provoked a rapid degradation of the situation, an increase and surge in terrorist activity. This situation requires taking appropriate measures. Such work is already underway,” he said.

According to the head of the Russian military department, in order to practice actions to repel terrorist threats in the Afghan direction, a number of joint exercises have been planned both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of the CSTO, and other measures are being taken.

“Additional gratuitous deliveries of Russian weapons and equipment to equip the Tajik army have been organized. We continue to train qualified Tajik military personnel. We train them both in our military universities and at the funds of the 201st Russian military base. strengthening the combat potential of our base and clarifying plans for jointly repelling the possible penetration of militants, “Shoigu said.

He stressed that the Russian side is ready “to provide any required support to Tajik friends.”

Actions to destroy bandit formations

Shoigu said that the servicemen of Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, during the exercises to be held in Central Asia next week, will work out practical actions to destroy bandit formations, conduct aerial reconnaissance and protect objects.

“Next week, in order to respond to the aggravation of the situation in Afghanistan, together with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, we will conduct exercises on their territories. Practical actions will be worked out to inflict fire damage and destroy bandit formations, conduct aerial reconnaissance and strengthen the protection of important objects,” Shoigu said at the meeting of the defense ministers of the SCO member states in Dushanbe.

He said that in September, at the Donguzsky training ground in the Orenburg region, a joint military anti-terrorist command and staff exercise of the SCO countries “Peace Mission – 2021” is planned.

“Similar exercises, but with the participation of the Collective Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), will be held in the fall in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. In the future, to work out jointly repelling terrorist threats, it is proposed to involve military contingents of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) of the CSTO and units of friendly countries in the Peace Mission exercises.” – said the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation.

Earlier, the press service of the Central Military District (CVD) reported that more than 1.5 thousand servicemen of Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will take part in exercises at the Harb-Maidon training ground, 20 km from Afghanistan, which will be held from 5 to 10 August.