Russia will mobilize 1,000 aircraft for the largest military exercise in history.
The Russian military deployed an unprecedented large force to participate in the Vostok-2018 exercise in the east of the country in September.
|
Russian soldiers participate in the Zapad 2017 exercise. Photo:RT |
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on August 28 that about 300,000 soldiers, 1,000 military aircraft of various types, two naval fleets and all airborne units will be mobilized to participate in the Vostok-2018 exercise, scheduled to be held next September in Siberia and the Far East, according toReuters.
Mr. Shoigu also affirmed on August 21 that Vostok-2018 will be the largest exercise since 1981. At that time, more than 150,000 Soviet soldiers were mobilized to participate.
China's Ministry of Defense announced on August 23 that 3,200 soldiers and 30 military planes and helicopters will travel to Russia to participate in Vostok-2018. Russian media said that the Mongolian military has also received an invitation to participate in the exercise.
According to observers, Vostok-2018 appears to be Moscow's response to recent large-scale NATO exercises near the Russian border. In June, Poland held the Dragon 17 exercise with the participation of 17,000 soldiers and 3,500 pieces of equipment from nine NATO countries, Georgia and Ukraine. Latvia also held its largest military exercise in history yesterday.
Vostok-2018 is also much larger than Zapad-2017, which caused concern in the West last year, with 12,700 troops, 70 military aircraft, 10 warships and 680 vehicles taking part. NATO accused Russia of deploying more troops than it announced, saying Zapad-2017 was preparation for an invasion of neighboring countries.
