He noted the success of the joint exercises in terms of "having a frightening effect" on possible radicals operating in the underbelly of the Central Asian region.
"These joint maneuvers will continue as long as the alarming situation in the neighboring country requires," RIA Novosti Sternik quotes.
According to him, for Russia and the states bordering on Afghanistan, the priority task is to prevent chaos and anarchy, which could provoke an economic collapse and a humanitarian crisis.
The head of the CSTO Joint Staff, Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov, said earlier that more than 5 thousand people would take part in the CSTO exercises "Combat Brotherhood - 2021".
Military contingents are being transferred to the training areas in Tajikistan.
The CSTO maneuvers "Interaction-2021" will be held on October 18-23.