Caspian Flotilla
The Caspian Flotilla is an operational-strategic formation of the Russian Navy based on the Caspian Sea. Its main base is in Astrakhan, with additional facilities historically in Makhachkala and formerly Baku. It is responsible for naval operations across the Caspian basin and falls under the Russian Navy's command structure. The flotilla regularly takes part in large-scale Russian military exercises.
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Russia holds main stage of Center-2026 drills in Chelyabinsk Oblast, rehearsing 'security zone' in Central Asia
On 2 October, Russia conducted the main stage of the Center-2026 strategic military exercises at the Chebarkul training ground in Chelyabinsk Oblast. The scenario involved Russian and Chinese forces practicing the creation of a 'security zone' on the territory of a neighboring Central Asian state. Vladimir Putin attended the final stage, and Russian officials acknowledged that troops were using experience from the war in Ukraine.