MINSK - The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on Wednesday started peacekeeping exercises in Belarus.

"The Unbreakable Brotherhood 2016" exercises were held in Obuz-Lesnovsky in Brest Oblast, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said.

Some 1,500 personnel from the six CSTO members, 500 armed vehicles and airplanes were involved in the exercises between Aug. 23 and 27.

In the exercises, the CSTO peacekeeping forces will respond to a simulated mass arrival of refugees, destroy illegal armed groups and open safe corridors for movement of refugees and humanitarian supplies.

Founded in 1992 within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the CSTO has six members: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. It regularly holds military drills on territories of its member states.