Russia to mobilize 1,000 aircraft for largest military exercise in history
The Russian military deployed an unprecedented force to participate in the Vostok-2018 military exercise in the east of the country in September.
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Russian soldiers participate in 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 reported 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 Russia’s borders. In June, Poland held the Dragon 17 exercise, which involved 17,000 troops and 3,500 pieces of equipment from nine NATO countries, as well as Georgia and Ukraine. Latvia also held its largest-ever military exercise 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 had declared, saying Zapad-2017 was preparation for an invasion of neighboring countries.
