Units from the Collective Security Treaty...

The CSTO members insist that the rapid reaction force is designed to improve the security of the CSTO members against the backdrop of existing and potential threats," including terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, natural disasters and to enhance the organization"s role in ensuring international security.

However, many experts believe that the creation of a powerful military contingent in former Soviet Central Asia by members of the Russian-dominated security grouping is seen as Moscow"s bid to counterbalance NATO.

MOSCOW, April 26 (RIA Novosti)