Seven former Soviet republics, which form the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), are to hold joint strategic military exercises code-named Center 2011. The Russian Defense Ministry today said the drills will start from on Monday and are due to take place in Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It said the war game will be held under the leadership of Russian General Staff Chief Army General and the active phase of the drills will last until September 26. .The CSTO, whose headquarters are located in Moscow, was established in October 2002 as an intergovernmental military alliance. It groups seven members – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.