Sri Lankan Ambassador announces joint military exercises with Russia in 2026

Russia and Sri Lanka plan to hold joint military exercises "Wolverine Trail" in 2026 to practice actions in the jungle. This was announced on December 14 by Sri Lankan Ambassador to Moscow Shobini Gunasekera.

"In 2026, the exercises, I think, will be held in Sri Lanka, because to conduct combat operations in the jungle, an appropriate environment is needed, we need a jungle," she said in an interview with TASS.

According to Gunasekera, the exercises are aimed at combating terrorism and sharing combat experience in the jungle, where Sri Lanka has significant expertise. The first Wolverine Trail exercises took place this year and were recognized as successful.

Gunasekera also noted the high level of defense cooperation between the two countries, recalling the visit of the Russian corvette Gremyashchy in November 2025 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Sri Lankan Navy. She stressed that cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense will develop.

Earlier, on November 5, the first joint exercises of Russia and Sri Lanka "Wolverine Trail – 2025" began. On the Russian side, military personnel from the Eastern Military District participated in them, and Major General Andrei Kozlov led the exercises. Major General Priyanta Nivaratne took over the leadership from the Sri Lankan side.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.