Vostok 2018
Vostok 2018 (Russian: Восток 2018, lit. 'East 2018'[note 1][1]) is a large-scale Russian military exercise, which is being held from 11 to 17[2] September 2018, throughout Siberia and the country's Far East.[3] The exercise involves units from the Army, Air Force and Navy.[4] China, Mongolia, as well as NATO member Turkey were invited to the exercise. [5][6]
In late August 2018, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said the exercise will be the largest to be held in Russia since "Zapad-81" held by the Soviet Union in 1981.[4][7][8] The Zapad exercises in 1981 involved about 100,000 to 150,000 troops and were the largest Soviet military exercises ever held.[7] Shoygu later reported that nearly 300,000 troops would be taking part in the drills along with 36,000 vehicles and 1000 aircraft.[3][9]
Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin reported that 91 foreign observers from 57 countries would be attending the exercise.[10]
China and Mongolia plan to participate in Vostok 2018, with the People's Liberation Army sending 3200 troops, more than 900 pieces of land equipment and 30 aircraft.[7][11] Beijing reported that its troops would be participating at the Tsugol training range in the Trans-Baikal region.[1][11] The Chinese involvement is to improve Chinese-Russian military relations, as well as to prevent Chinese concern about military exercises near their border.[1] The joint exercise will also allow Russia to demonstrate it is not militarily isolated.[12] There are reports that there will be sharing of information between the Russian Armed Forces and the People's Liberation Army on combat lessons from the Syrian Civil War.[13]
President of Russia Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit the drills after attending the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.[14]
Notes
- ^ Russian exercises have often been named according to their location in the country, for example "Vostok", literally "East", or "Zapad", literally "West"
See also
References
- ^ a b c Majumdar, Dave (23 August 2018). "Vostok-2018: Russia (with China Making a Guest Appearance) Set for Largest Wargames in over Three Decades". The National Interest. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
- ^ https://www.lemonde.fr/international/video/2018/09/13/vostok-2018-la-russie-s-entraine-a-faire-la-guerre_5354587_3210.html
- ^ a b "Russia war games: Biggest since Cold War 'justified'". BBC News. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Russian military on alert for massive war games said to be the largest since Soviet games in the '80s". Military Times. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Turkey mulling Russian invite to join Vostok 2018 military exercises -Turkish DM".
- ^ "Turkey considering Russian invitation for Vostok 2018 military exercise - Turkish Minute". Turkish Minute. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ a b c Brown, Daniel (20 August 2018). "Russia just put its military on high alert ahead of massive war games that'll be 'unprecedented in scale'". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Шойгу: в сентябре в РФ пройдут самые масштабные маневры с 1981 года Подробнее на ТАСС". TASS. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ Fiorenza, Nicholas (29 August 2018). "Russia outlines massive 'Vostok 2018' exercise". Janes. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ Ali, Mohammad. "Russias Vostok-2018 Military Drills Not Anti-NATO - Deputy Defense Minister - UrduPoint". UrduPoint. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- ^ a b Yuandan, Guo; Xuanzun, Liu (21 August 2018). "PLA to participate in Vostok 2018 drills". Global Times. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ Chhor, Khatya (30 August 2018). "Sensing threats from the West, Russia prepares to flex its military muscle". France 24. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ Chan, Minnie (29 August 2018). "Vostok 2018 war games: China's chance to learn Russia's military lessons from Syria". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ "Putin to visit Vostok-2018 military drills after economic forum in Vladivostok". TASS (in Russian). Retrieved 6 September 2018.
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