Thousand Russian paratroopers to join CSTO drills in Russian northwest 51708164

Defence & Security News - Russia
 
Thousand Russian paratroopers to join CSTO drills in Russian northwest
Over a thousand of Russian paratroopers will participate in the exercise of rapid reaction force of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Pskov region in August, Russian Airborne Forces Deputy Commander for peacekeeping operations Alexander Vyaznikov said.
     
Thousand Russian paratroopers to join CSTO drills in Russian northwest 640 001
Russian paratroopers (Photo Wikipédia)
     
"The exercise is to train actions of the CSTO rapid reaction force at the strategic western direction in order to resolve an armed conflict. Airborne troops will be a part of the rapid reaction force. We deploy two formations - 98th division and 31st air assault brigade. It makes a total of over a thousand paratroopers. They will be engaged together with units of CSTO member-countries," he said.

Russian paratroopers will have to find and destroy terrorist formations, provide assistance to local population and protect important government and military facilities.

"The exercise envisages air assault. Some units of the 98th division will be airdropped on controlled parachutes and also landed as tactical assault on helicopters. The 31st brigade will be engaged in a bigger scope. 300 paratroopers will take off from Ulyanovsk for the exercise area in Pskov where they will be airdropped to fulfill their mission," Vyaznikov said.

He also said the same number of paratroopers will participate in the exercise of the CSTO rapid reaction force which will be held next year in Armenia. "According to the plan, the next CSTO member-state to host the exercise is Armenia. Talks are underway about the scope of engagement of the Russian Airborne Forces. I believe the strength will be at least the same as this year," Vyaznikov said.

CSTO rapid reaction force command and staff exercise Vzaimodeistvie-2016 will be held in Pskov region on August 16-19.
     
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