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Russia's airborne troops alerted within post-Soviet security bloc drill

The Collective Rapid Reaction Force of the CSTO comprises units from Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Russia's Ulyanovsk 31st separate air assault (peacekeeping) brigade and the Ivanovo 98th airborne division have been alerted within the framework of an inspection of combat readiness of contingents of the Collective Rapid Reaction Force of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Russia’s Defence Ministry told TASS on Tuesday.

"The airborne force units are currently preparing the combat equipment, getting weapons and all-weather outfits," a ministry official said.

Some troops units have already started preparations for moving to the staging area and the aerial port of embarkation, the ministry said. The paratroopers will get further instructions at the assembly areas.

CSTO press secretary Vladimir Zainetdinov told TASS earlier on Tuesday that the Collective Rapid Reaction Force was placed on high alert. The Collective Rapid Reaction Force comprises troop units from Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.