Russian military base’s soldiers arrived at Armenian polygon for CSTO joint exercises

YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA/.Over hundred Russian soldiers and officers of the 102nd military base, installed in Armenia, arrived at Marshal Baghramyan polygon Friday to participate in joint exercises of CSTO Collective rapid response forces “Integration 2012”, according to the Southern military district. 

The exercises will be held in Armenia, 15-19 September.

“The Russian soldiers and officers are accommodated in the military camp which is equipped with sport grounds, restrooms, laundry rooms, cafeterias and even summer café ,” the source reports. 

The participants will also have an opportunity to attend a mobile cinema during their leisure time, as well as enjoy the performances by the Armenian artistic collectives.

Days of Armenian national cuisine will be also organized for the participants, during which they will taste shashlyk, qebab, dolma, bozbash, khash and other dishes. 

“The solders said they have received a warm welcome and good accommodation,” the press service reports.

The purpose of the joint exercises is to repel an attack of an imaginary enemy and organize a counterattack.

According to Spokesperson for CSTO Vladimir Zaynetdinov, the joint exercises will involve nearly 2,000 troops and special forces of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, as well as representatives of International Committee of the Red Cross, international observers from the U.N., OSCE, CIS.

The joint exercises of CSTO Collective rapid response forces will be organized in the framework of CSTO plan of activities for 2012. 

CSTO Collective rapid response forces are targeted at repelling military aggression, struggling against international terrorism, 

transnational crime, drug trafficking, and emergency situation liquidation. 

CSTO Collective rapid response forces account nearly 20,000 soldiers, mostly Russian.

The CSTO member states are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Uzbekistan has recently withdrawn from the organization.  The Collective Security Treaty Organization was established on 15 May 1992. —0-