Sharjah 24 – AFP: Russia on Thursday launched 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 stand-off with Western nations over what Moscow calls its military operation in pro-Western Ukraine.
The active stage of the exercises kicked off Thursday morning with combat aircraft, anti-aircraft unit drills and mine clearance simulations in the Sea of Japan, the Russian defence ministry said.
"Combat aviation crews will have to train in the interception of air targets... and conduct air strikes on ground targets," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry released images showing military aircraft taking off and flying in formation, as well as Pantsir anti-aircraft vehicles conducting manoeuvres.
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 neighbours, as well as Syria, India and key ally China.
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