MOSCOW, August 19. /TASS/. Two Russian airborne units will for the first time participate simultaneously in the Interaction-2015 military drills of the rapid reaction forces organized by the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states, Russian Airborne Force Commander, Col.-Gen. Vladimir Shamanov said on Wednesday.
Since the CSTO rapid reaction force was established in 2009, "the drills will for the first time involve the simultaneous participation of about 1,000 paratroopers from two Airborne Force units stationed in Ivanovo and Ulyanovsk: the 98th Guards Airborne Division and the 31st Guards Separate Air Assault [Peacekeeping] Brigade," Shamanov said.
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Joint headquarters comprising over 100 officers have been established to exercise control of the maneuvers, he said.
"The headquarters composition is multinational and includes representatives of all member states," the Russian Airborne Force commander said.
During the exercises, the CSTO rapid reaction force will practise a joint operation to localize an armed conflict to restore the territorial integrity and protect the constitutional order of a simulated member state, missions to destroy irregular armed formations, accomplish assignments for eliminating the consequences of emergency situations and carrying out search and special measures, Shamanov said.
CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha will take part in the active phase of the maneuvers on August 27-28.
The Collective Security Treaty Organization comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.