Alexander Kovalenko / Obozrevatel
In Russia, the large-scale exercises “Center-2026” took place, called some of the most unprecedented in recent years, as they practiced a future invasion of EU countries. In fact, the exercises demonstrated a different context, namely the deadlock in the development of military science in Russia, as well as the approaching inevitable end of Valery Gerasimov’s era as Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Read more about this in the new material from the joint project OBOZ.UA of the group “Information Resistance”.
The strategic command and staff exercises of the Russian Armed Forces “Center-2026” took place from September 28 to October 3, 2026, at the Chebarkul training ground in the Chelyabinsk region. According to international observers, they were dedicated not only to repelling an attack but also to transitioning from defensive to offensive actions.
The feature of the exercises was the use of a significant amount of the latest defensive and offensive equipment, which international experts assessed as a demonstration of the capabilities of a modern, updated Russian army.
However, the “Center-2026” exercises actually revealed a completely different picture, the depth of which no Western expert saw. It is a manifestation of the dead-end development of military science, tactics, and strategy of the Russian army, as well as the severe internal confrontation in the General Staff, where Valery Gerasimov sits on shaky legs under his chair.
Military Aspect
At the “Center-2026” exercises, the Russian military leadership brought out the latest models of “modern” equipment to the training ground.
In total, 47,000 military personnel took part in the land component, or roughly one combined-arms army. Also involved were 90 aviation units and 77 naval units. Overall, the exercises were conducted at 11 training locations.
Directly at the Chebarkul training ground, about 6,000 military personnel, roughly 700 pieces of equipment, over 600 UAVs, and more than 60 robotic systems were involved. And it is worth noting that this location was the main PR platform for showcasing what Russia actually lacks.
In particular, an “advanced generation” assault tank TSRK “Shturm” was showcased, designed for combat in urban conditions, even under remote control. However, this requires another regular tank where the TSRK operators are located but within a limited distance of a few kilometers to maintain connection.
In conditions of FPV drone dominance at distances of 20–40 km, two tanks, one without a crew and the other with one but without a turret, operating at distances up to 5 km, are just like a dabble kill!
Interestingly, during the exercises, the TSRK “Sturm” got stuck very quickly in the rough terrain, and it couldn’t be retrieved without special equipment because there wasn’t a crew on site to place the traditional multifunctional logs under the tracks.
In addition to “Sturm,” the exercises included T-14 “Armata,” T-90M, “Spiridon,” new reactive “Harpies,” and a mobile drone launcher on a KAMAZ-5350 chassis, among many other models. Shooting during the exercises was conducted from armored vehicles with open hatches, which in modern conditions means guaranteed equipment damage and crew fatalities.
There was also a demonstrative mass airdrop of “Courier” ground robotic complexes from Il-76 planes flying over the training ground at an altitude of about 600 meters… Meaning NRCs were dropped from a large airborne target at an altitude accessible to any MANPADS, while interceptor drones could have turned the cabin of this plane into a sieve. But it looked beautiful. A big plane and many parachutes.
“Center-2026” became exercises that showcased samples of equipment that… never appeared at the front. And their tactical application in real combat conditions would be suicidal. Meanwhile, the Russian troops face a shortage of standard equipment exceeding 50%!
Therefore, the exercises became nothing more than a large-scale PR picture, seemingly epic and beautiful at first glance, but entirely non-functional! If Russia plans to attack EU countries, it will implement this according to a completely different plan.
So what was it? And here we move on to the political block of our analysis.
Political Aspect
The fact is that at exercises of this level and scale, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov was absent, and dictator Putin was accompanied by General Andrei Mordvichov (the modern Russian “butcher” on Zhukov’s level, known for his “meat assaults” tactics). And this is not happening for the first time. The same scenario was seen at the “West-2025” exercises.
Gerasimov has been undermining Putin for quite some time with reports of fake territorial conquests. In October 2025, the Kremlin dictator was informed about the capture of Kupiansk – a lie. In May 2026, about the capture of Borova – a lie. In June 2026, about the almost captured Lyman – a lie. In July, about the capture of Kostiantynivka – a lie. In September, about the capture of Sviatohirsk – a lie. Now the Russian General Staff reports the encirclement of Dobropillia – a lie.
However, the real reputational uppercut for Putin was the capture of over 250 Russian occupiers by the Third Army Corps during operation “Vivaldi”, with whom the commander of the formation, Brigadier General Andrei Biletsky, held a conversation.
During this conversation, it was revealed under what oppressive and deplorable conditions the Russian occupiers are on their positions.
This video not only marked the starting point for the complete discrediting of the Russian Armed Forces and their myths about successes on the Lyman direction, but also activated internal covert struggles in Moscow. And in this tandem, firstly, the Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, and secondly, Andrei Mordvichev, who has long seen himself in the position of Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
And the “Center-2026” exercises were not so much a demonstration of how Russia will fight against NATO countries in the near future – it will not fight like that. This is a PR campaign by Mordvichov in front of Putin: look at how good and modern I am, unlike Valery Gerasimov, who constantly lies about successes.
Meanwhile, on the social media platforms of the Russian Ministry of Defense, there is a growing wave of dissatisfaction that despite the successes of the Ukrainian military and the retreat of the Russian forces, the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces constantly reports some ephemeral, unrealistic successes and advancements.
In other words, the game against Gerasimov is being played on two fronts: Mordvichov is trying to prove to Putin how promising and effective he will be, while the Russian Ministry of Defense discredits Gerasimov as an incompetent and deceitful commander.
Conclusions
The “Center-2026” exercises are not about training. It is not about a threat to European countries or Kazakhstan, which is closest to the training ground. It is about the failures of Russian troops in Ukraine and the growing internal struggle. Undoubtedly, generously seasoned with unique means that will never appear on the battlefield, as well as an information campaign against the current Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
“Center-2026” is a story about how Andrey Mordvichov and Andrey Belousov are trying to sink the unsinkable Valery Gerasimov. And it seems that they are now closer than ever to implementing their plan.
On the cover: Putin at the “Center-2026” exercises. Photo: Occupier media
