A delegation from the CSTO Joint Staff paid a working visit to the Northern Fleet
From 5 to 7 October 2026, as part of the Russian Federation’s chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a delegation from the CSTO Joint Staff undertook a working visit to the Northern Fleet.
During the visit, a meeting was held with Admiral Konstantin Kabantsov, Commander of the Northern Fleet. At the meeting at the fleet headquarters, practical aspects of the military-political situation in the North Atlantic and the Arctic were discussed. The delegation was briefed on the specific features of combat duty carried out by the fleet’s forces and assets in high latitudes, the protection of maritime communications and control over airspace.
In his address, the Commander emphasised that ‘over the past decades, particularly close and friendly ties have developed between the CSTO member states, characterised by a high level of trust, strategic cooperation in addressing pressing contemporary military and political issues, as well as the historical closeness of our nations’ cultures’.
The head of the delegation, Lieutenant General Ruslan Shpekbaev, Deputy Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, thanked the Commander of the Northern Fleet for the opportunity to visit the fleet’s main base in Severomorsk and for his willingness to engage in open dialogue.
Shpekbaev noted that this visit is of particular significance against the backdrop of the transformation of the global security architecture and rising geopolitical tensions. Issues relating to the defence of northern borders are becoming of particular importance to all member states of the Organisation. The head of the CSTO delegation emphasised that security within the CSTO’s area of responsibility is indivisible. Potential challenges require the Organisation’s members to demonstrate the utmost unity in responding to the threats of terrorism, drug trafficking and the uncontrolled proliferation of weapons, which may reach the borders of member states, including via the northern sea routes.
A highlight of the programme was the delegation’s visit to the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine ‘Kazan’ (Project 885M ‘Yasen-M’), where the vessel’s combat capabilities were outlined and its logistical infrastructure was demonstrated.
Following this tour, all members of the delegation spoke highly of the vessel’s combat capabilities, particularly its latest ‘Zircon’ hypersonic missiles and ‘Kalibr’ cruise missiles.
During a working meeting between the delegation and Andrei Chibis, Governor of the Murmansk Region, issues relating to the development of the region’s economic ties with the participating countries were discussed.
