Vladimir Putin has said the main objective of the Centre-2026 drills in the Urals is to improve commanders’ skills in leading troops while repelling external aggression.

Speaking on Friday (2 October), Putin said more than 47,000 personnel were involved. Troops from Belarus, China and Pakistan also took part, according to Russia’s RIA news agency.

“The main objective of the drills is to improve the skills of staff commanders at all levels in commanding troops while repelling external aggression,” he said.

The visit came a day after he warned the West not to escalate the standoff over Ukraine by threatening Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania.