From the Liveblog of
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Russia kicks off large-scale joint military drills with China, others in Far East
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleMOSCOW — Russia launches large-scale military exercises involving several Kremlin-friendly countries, including China, with tensions soaring between Moscow and Western capitals.
The exercises, called Vostok-2022, are scheduled to take place until September 7 across several training grounds in Russia’s Far East and in the waters off its eastern coast.
The drills come as Russia is locked in a standoff with Western nations over what Moscow calls its military operation in pro-Western Ukraine.
The active stage of the exercises kicked off this morning with combat aircraft, anti-aircraft unit drills and mine clearance simulations in the Sea of Japan, the Russian defense ministry says.
“Combat aviation crews will have to train in the interception of air targets… and conduct airstrikes on ground targets,” the ministry says in a statement.
The ministry released images showing military aircraft taking off and flying in formation, as well as Pantsir anti-aircraft vehicles conducting maneuvers.
According to Moscow, over 50,000 soldiers and more than 5,000 units of military equipment, including 140 aircraft and 60 ships, will be involved in the drills.
Participating countries include several of Russia’s neighbors, as well as Syria, India and key ally China.
Similar drills were last held in 2018.
The Times of Israel Community.