While the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is preparing for its Caucasus 2012 drills, trainings involving military equipment and armament have been launched in Russia’s south and Armenia,  says the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

“The exercises are thought to fall within the routine plan. But judging by all, they bear a direct relationship to the increased geopolitical and military tension in the Caspian region, Iran and Syria, as well as the Karabakh conflict,” it comments.

According to the publication, the Southern Military District has confirmed its plan to hold special tactical exercises in its shooting gallery, Sernovodsky. “While they are in process, the troops will be working to find the clues to secret governance, by using up-to-date information technologies and radio equipment,” says the paper, adding that the exercises will attract the South Ossetian and Abkhazian subdivisions, as well as the Russian military base stationed in Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri.

The author of the article, Vladimir Mukhin, has quoted Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan’s statement promising to enhance the forces’ combat readiness.

“Such military trainings, expecting to see the Russian paratroopers’ visit to Armenia, cause, mildly speaking, a vigilant reaction by the neighboring Georgia and Azerbaijan,” he says, noting that exercises involving the Caspian navy are now being held in the Caspian Sea.

“The Russian authorities are, in this manner, paying an increased attention to the strengthening of defense in the Caspian region and the Caucasus. As for the region’s demilitarization, that’s not absolutely at issue. Moscow intends to resort to different methods, including force, to protect its interests,” Mukhin adds.