CHELYABINSK, October 2. /TASS/. The Center-2026 exercises are being conducted in accordance with the Russian Armed Forces’ training plan, with over 47,000 servicemen participating, President Vladimir Putin stated.

"The Center-2026 strategic command-and-staff exercise is being conducted in accordance with the Armed Forces’ training plan," the president said, noting that the drills are linked to the Interaction-2026 command-and-staff exercise, which is taking place within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

"Over 47,000 servicemen are participating in the Center-2026 exercises, carrying out tasks at 11 training grounds and in the waters of the Caspian Sea," the head of state added.

Putin noted that the final stage of the Center 2026 and Interaction 2026 exercises is taking place today at the Chebarkulsky training ground. More than 6,000 servicemen from Russia and six other countries are participating in the active phase of the drills, as are units of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces. In total, delegations from 55 countries have arrived in Russia for the exercises.