CSTO military exercise Kobalt 2013 underway in Russia

MOSCOW. July 10. KAZINFORM A special operation to destroy a disguised base of militants has been held during the military exercise of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Kobalt 2013, BelTA learnt from CSTO Spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov.

"The special tactical exercise Kobalt 2013 was held in Rostov Oblast, Russia, and involved special military units of the police of the CSTO member states. These military units are part of the special operations forces of the CSTO Collective Rapid Response Forces (CRRF). The operation aimed at improving coordination between the special operations forces while destroying the disguised base of the militants who penetrated the state. Another operation involved detention of a leader of an extremist clandestine organization which was held by the special forces of CSTO CRRF," Vladimir Zainetdinov noted.

The exercise is underway on the territories of several CSTO countries against the background of intensified interethnic conflicts and spread of international terrorist and extremist organizations on the territory of the CSTO member states, BelTA reports.

Partaking in the exercise are representatives of special operations forces of the police and internal military forces of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan who are assigned to the special forces of the CSTO CRRF. Taking part in the exercise is also the special police squad of the Main Department of the Interior Ministry of Rostov Oblast. CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha is set to attend the active stage of the exercise that is due on 11 July.