"THUNDER-2021" training held in Armenia

Joint special anti-drug operation "Thunder-2021" was held in the Republic of Armenia from 24 to 28 September. The training took place in accordance with the CSTO Plan of joint activities on operational and combat readiness of forces of bodies of force and assets command and formation of the CSTO collective security system. 
The active phase of the operation took place at the "Marshal Baghramyan" military training ground of the RA Ministry of Defense on September 28.
The exercises were carried out with the participation and cooperation of the Secretariat and Joint Staff of the CSTO.

Special forces units of Police of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and the Drug Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan took part in the exercises aimed at conducting anti-drug operations in difficult mountainous terrain and increasing the level of combat readiness of special forces units. Units of the RA Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Border Service of the National Security Service were involved with the use of aviation, military and special equipment.
The training was attended by CSTO Deputy Secretary General Valery Semerikov, Chief of the RA Police Vahe Ghazaryan, Secretary of the RA Security Council Armen Grigoryan, Chief of the General Staff Artak Davtyan, Minister of Emergency Situations Andranik Piloyan, Director of the National Security Service Armen Abazyan, heads of divisions and commanders.

According to the scenario, a large criminal group entered Armenia, whose members want to smuggle more than 1 ton of drugs across the territory of the republic to another country. The relevant units of the CSTO member states are taking action. Neutralization, disarmament and arrest of members of the criminal group.
The exercise was attended by about 350 military personnel of the CSTO member states, 49 vehicles, 3 helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
At the end of the joint special anti-drug operation “THUNDER-2021”, CSTO Deputy Secretary General Valery Semerikov and Head of the RA Police, Police Major General Vahe Ghazaryan made closing speeches.
“Dear Valery Anatolyevich! Dear generals, non-commissioned officers, sergeants!

Today we followed the joint special anti-drug operation "THUNDER-2121", the purpose of which was to strengthen the interaction of special forces of the CSTO member states and increase the level of combat readiness.
The special units of our departments worked harmoniously and at a high professional level. In a matter of minutes, the militants completed their mission, neutralizing criminal groups and blocking drug delivery routes.
Today's military exercises have once again confirmed that we are capable of developing and implementing a mutually agreed strategy and strategy for effectively combating crime.
I express my gratitude to the officers, non-commissioned officers and sergeants of special units of the CSTO member states who took part in today's exercises, and I am confident that effective cooperation will continue and deepen in the future. At the same time, I would like to thank the CSTO Secretariat for the support in organizing the exercises,” Chief of the RA Police Vahe Ghazaryan said in his speech.

“Dear Vahe Robertovich! Dear participants!
The actions taken to develop and address the objectives of the exercise design are commendable. I would like to emphasize the fact that in the course of complex strategic operations of the Collective Forces of the CSTO, from exercises to exercises, the professionalism and interaction of special units of the rapid reaction forces is growing every year, which is a convincing indicator that we have all the forces and means to solve the assigned tasks.
Today, the military-political situation in our area of responsibility requires maximum preparation to ensure the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and military-strategic security of the member states of the organization.
The task of the leaders of the member states of the organization is to strengthen the collective security system, to improve the training and equipping of the collective forces with modern weapons and special equipment. On this occasion, the heads of the states made appropriate decisions. In this sense, I cannot fail to note the fact that the RA Prime Minister throughout the entire period of the RA chairmanship in the organization emphasized the priority of this direction of our activity.
Concluding my speech, I would like to note the great organizational work carried out by the ministries and departments of the Republic of Armenia in the direction of preparing and conducting the exercises.
I express special gratitude to the leadership of the RA Police, in the person of Chief of Police, Major General Vahe Ghazaryan, Deputy Chief of Police, Police Colonel Vardan Movsisyan.
“Once again, I want to thank the participants in the exercises for their efforts in resolving the issues raised, which was emphasized by all observers,” said CSTO Deputy Secretary General Valery Semerikov.
At the end of the exercise, the best outstanding employees were awarded medals, badges and certificates. The winners of tactical shooting competitions held as part of the THUNDER-2021 exercises were also awarded. The purpose of the competition was to determine the best shooters of the participating countries, to increase the level of fire and tactical readiness of military personnel, as well as to improve the skills of safely carrying weapons in the line of duty.