MOSCOW, September 25. /TASS/. The Russian-Pakistani joint military maneuvers codenamed Druzhba (Friendship) have started in the area of the city of Cherat in Pakistan, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"The exercise official opening ceremony began with the military contingents’ lining up and raising of the Russian and Pakistani national flags to the accompaniment of a military band," the ministry said in a statement.

It said that Deputy Chief of Staff of Russia’s Central Military District Colonel Oleg Stetsyuk addressed the exercise participants with a welcome speech. "Joint actions of our friendly people strengthen comradeship-in-arms. I am confident that the joint exercise will enhance combat potential and unite the military contingents’ personnel to guarantee the protection of our states from any aggressive encroachments," he said.

Brigadier Muhammad Imran Aslam, the commander of the Pakistani special operation forces’ 22nd Brigade, also addressed the troops. He said that the maneuvers help strengthen bilateral cooperation and share knowledge, experience, and advanced methods of combating terrorism.

"The ceremony concluded with an exchange of chevrons between the military contingents as a sign of comradeship, mutual trust, and professional cooperation," the ministry stated.

The Druzhba-IX-2026 joint tactical exercise is being held in the area of the city of Cherat in Pakistan from September 25 to October 3. The troops will practice joint actions to combat terrorism, including confined space combat operations, urban warfare, as well as actions of snipers and military medics. Units of the Central Military District’s 201st Guards Military Base stationed in Tajikistan, mountain motorized rifle and reconnaissance troops, and the strike and reconnaissance UAV crews comprise the backbone of the Russian contingent.