Putin observes military drills in the Urals

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday observed military exercises in Russia's Chelyabinsk region in the Urals.

Putin visited the training ground in the Chelyabinsk region to observe the final stage of the Center-2026 maneuvers, which began on Monday and will run through Saturday, according to the Kremlin.

Putin was accompanied by key military officials, including Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, the Kremlin said, adding that the drill is being conducted in conjunction with the Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) Interaction-2026 command post exercise.

It said the Center-2026 drill involves more than 47,000 Russian military personnel, with seven foreign states contributing contingents.

It indicated that more than 6,000 military personnel from Russia and other states, together with units of the CSTO's Collective Rapid Reaction Force, are deployed at the Chebarkulsky training ground.

"I am confident that the results of the Center-2026 and Interaction-2026 exercises, along with the experience gained by the personnel, will enhance our effectiveness in responding to external threats to our countries’ security," Putin was quoted as saying during the visit.

Putin held a short meeting with foreign military attaches attending the Center-2026 drill following the visit, and held talks with Chelyabinsk Gov. Alexey Tesler.