The basic goals and objectives of the first stage of CSTO joint trainings are met, CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Borduzha said. "The first stage devoted, inter alia, to the use of Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) enabled us to elaborate an algorithm of actions to resist possible tensions in CSTO region. At this stage, direct participants gained a good experience of working in complex and rapidly changing atmosphere," Borduzha noted.

Second and third stages of trainings are due in Belarus, on September 19-28 and October 2-15 respectively. Trainings will involve 7 thousand servicemen, 120 tanks, over 200 IFVs and APCs as well as more than 40 airlines and helicopters, Russian media report.