Center 2011

Center 2011 is a large-scale joint strategic exercise of the Russian Armed Forces , held in September 2011 in the Central Military District , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan , as well as in the Caspian Sea . In addition to the armed forces of these states, the armed forces of Armenia , Belarus and Ukraine were involved in the exercises. The subject of the exercises: the preparation and use of interspecific groupings of troops in stabilizing the situation and conducting military operations in the Central Asian strategic direction ^[1] . Altogether, 12,000 military personnel, 50 aircraft, up to 1,000 weapons, military and special equipment, up to 10 combat and support ships, operational groups of the Ministry of Internal Affairs , FSB , FSO and EMERCOM of Russia , as well as reserve personnel called up for military exercises, took part in the exercises from the CSTO states training fees from Bashkortostan and the Orenburg region ^[2] .

The first episode of the exercises began on September 19 at the Kapustin Yar , Ashuluk , Chebarkul training grounds and at the Totsky training ground . On September 20, maneuvers began at the Liaur training ground in Tajikistan, and on September 21, at the Oymash training ground in Kazakhstan. The exercises were carried out in three stages: concentration, defense, offensive.