The Russian Defense Ministry released a video of Chinese troops arriving in Russia in preparation for the exercise.
The Russian Defense Ministry released a video of Chinese troops arriving in Russia in preparation for the exercise.
Russia said on Monday it would launch extensive military exercises in the country’s east that would involve China’s forces – a show of increasingly close defense ties between Moscow and Beijing amid tensions with the West over Kremlin actions in Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that the Vostok 2022 (Pre 2022) exercise will be conducted from September 1-7 at various locations in Russia’s Far East and the Sea of Japan and will involve more than 50,000 troops and more than 5,000 weapons units, including 140 aircraft. and includes 60. battleship.
The ministry released a video of Chinese troops arriving in Russia in preparation for the exercise.
The exercise will be conducted at seven firing ranges in Far Eastern Russia and will involve troops from several former Soviet countries, China, India, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua and Syria.
The ministry said units of Russian airborne troops, long-range bombers and military cargo aircraft will participate in the exercise along with other forces.
Announcing the exercise for the first time last month, the Russian military insisted it was part of planned combat training that continues despite Moscow’s military crackdown in Ukraine. It did not disclose the number of troops in what is called a “special military operation” in the Kremlin.
The ministry noted that as part of the exercise, the Russian and Chinese navies in the Sea of Japan will “exercise joint actions to protect maritime communications, areas of maritime economic activity, and support for ground troops in coastal areas.”
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Fomin specified that the naval exercises would take part in the northern and central part of the Sea of Japan.
“The exercise is not directed against any specific country or military alliance and is purely defensive,” Fomin said in a meeting with the foreign military.
The exercise reflects the growing defense ties between Moscow and Beijing, which have strengthened since Russia sent its troops to Ukraine on February 24. China has refused to criticize Russia’s action, blaming the US and NATO for provoking Moscow, and blasting the punitive sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Russia, in turn, has strongly supported China amid tensions with the US, following a recent visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Speaking earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew parallels between US support for Ukraine and Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, alleging that both were part of alleged US efforts to fuel global instability.
Russia and China have held a series of joint war games in recent years, including naval exercises and patrols by long-range bombers over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Last year, Russian troops were deployed to Chinese territory for the first time for joint exercises.
Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have developed strong personal ties to cement the “strategic partnership” between former communist rivals as both Moscow and Beijing face rising tensions with the West.
Even though Moscow and Beijing have in the past ruled out the possibility of forming a military alliance, Putin has said such a possibility cannot be ruled out. He also noted that Russia has been sharing highly sensitive military technologies with China which has greatly helped in enhancing its defense capability.
Announcing the exercise for the first time last month, the Russian Defense Ministry insisted it was part of planned combat training that continues despite Moscow’s military crackdown in Ukraine. It did not disclose the number of troops in what is called a “special military operation” in the Kremlin.