ISLAMABAD, October 06: Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev attended the closing ceremony of the ninth joint Russia-Pakistan Druzhba exercise in Cherat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, following tactical counterterrorism demonstrations, the Russian Embassy in Islamabad announced in a statement.
The joint drills brought together troops from Russia’s Tajikistan-based 201st Military Base, operating under the Central Military District, alongside Pakistan Army Special Forces, according to the embassy statement. During the exercises, participating units executed coordinated counterterrorism maneuvers across rugged terrain using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced weaponry.
Operational leadership during the drills included senior command personnel from both nations. The contingent was led by Colonel Oleg Stetsyuk, Deputy Chief of Staff of Russia’s Central Military District, alongside Pakistani commanders Lieutenant General Muhammad Amir Najam, Inspector General Training and Evaluation; Major General Ahmed Jawad, Commander Special Operations Forces; and Brigadier General Muhammad Imran Aslam, Commander of the 22nd Special Forces Brigade.
Addressing military personnel following the field demonstrations on October 1, Ambassador Khorev commended troops on completing the drills and cited the high degree of operational coordination and unit cohesion shown by both forces. The diplomat noted that the exercise provided a platform for exchanging operational experience and military traditions, while emphasizing the role of such joint maneuvers in expanding bilateral diplomatic and defense ties, the embassy stated.
Background: Evolution of the Russia-Pakistan Druzhba Exercise
The annual “Druzhba” (Friendship) drills were established in 2016 to expand defense cooperation and counterterrorism training between Moscow and Islamabad. The maneuvers typically alternate annually between military training locations in Russia and Pakistan.
Russia’s 201st Military Base, stationed in Tajikistan, represents Moscow’s largest overseas military facility. Personnel from the base regularly participate in regional security operations and joint training exercises across Central and South Asia.
Bilateral defense engagement between Russia and Pakistan has expanded in recent years, encompassing military-technical agreements, joint naval drills, and high-level defense visits.
Read More: Russia Pakistan Relations: Putin Sends Independence Day Message to Islamabad
The Diplomatic Wire Desk is the institutional news and analysis body of Diplomatic Wire, overseen by Founder and Editor Khalid Minhas. The Desk covers international relations, foreign policy, and critical diplomatic initiatives with objective, timely reporting for a professional readership.
