This remarkable photo is of yesterday 6th October 2026. Pakistan–Russia exercise Druzhba-IX matters beyond military symbolism. The exercise began on 22 September 2026 and ran for roughly two weeks.
Pakistan–Russia Druzhba-IX at Cherat carries a wider regional message. The Russian troops came from the 201st Military Base stationed in Tajikistan, directly linked to the Afghanistan–Central Asia security theatre. The core focus was joint counter-terrorism operations in difficult terrain.
For Pakistan, fighting terrorism along the Afghan border, this means more than a ceremonial drill: it brings counter-terrorism experience, mountain warfare, UAV use and operational coordination with a force already positioned on Afghanistan’s northern flank.
The strategic message is clear: terrorism spilling out of Afghanistan is not Pakistan’s problem alone; it is a regional security threat for Moscow and even China too.