MINSK. Sept 6 (Interfax) - The armed forces of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states that took part in a military exercise in Belarus have demonstrated their readiness to respond to any threats, Chief of the Belarusian General Staff Viktor Gulevich said.
"All goals set [for the exercise] have been achieved. The tasks have been accomplished to a high standard. The troops that took part in it gained good practice and demonstrated their readiness to respond to any threats regardless of their origin," the Belarusian Defense Ministry's press service quoted Gulevich as saying at the closing ceremony for the CSTO's Combat Brotherhood 2023 strategic exercise.
"The military and political situation unfolding in immediate proximity to the CSTO's borders is challenging", and NATO is amassing its military contingents in the area, he said.
The drills conformed strictly to the approved plan, which relied on the experience of the most recent wars and military conflicts, Gulevich said.
On September 1-6, Belarus hosted the active phase of the Combat Brotherhood 2023 joint strategic exercise. The Interaction 2023, Search 2023, Echelon 2023, Barrier 2023, and Rock 2023 exercises took place as part of Combat Brotherhood 2023. The exercise, which involved 2,500 servicemen and over 500 pieces of hardware, took place in the Brest, Grodno and Minsk regions.