Nearly 2,000 soldiers from Russia and five other former Soviet republics aligned in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) held military exercises in Armenia on September 15-19. The special army units making up a CSTO rapid reaction force simulated a joint operation against an imaginary “irregular” invader at the Marshal Bagramian training ground. (A photo story by Karen Minasyan.)
Russia, Ex-Soviet Allies Hold War Games In Armenia

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Armenia - Special forces from Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan hold joint exercises at the Marshal Baghramian training center near Yerevan, 16Sep2012.

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Armenia - Special forces from Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan hold joint exercises at the Marshal Baghramian training center near Yerevan, 16Sep2012.

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Armenia - Special forces from Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan hold joint exercises at the Marshal Baghramian training center near Yerevan, 16Sep2012.

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Armenia - Special forces from Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan hold joint exercises at the Marshal Baghramian training center near Yerevan, 16Sep2012.