Russia launches multilateral military exercise Vostok 2022 with China and India

The opening ceremony of the Vostok 2022 strategic exercise took place at a training ground in Russia's Primorsky Region on August 31. The exercise will take place from September 1-7 under the command of the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, with offensive and defensive elements at seven training grounds.

Image of preparation for the exercise.

The list of foreign guests includes Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Syria and Tajikistan. Nine of these countries have sent troops to participate in the exercise.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, more than 50,000 soldiers and officers and more than 5,000 pieces of heavy military equipment, including about 140 aircraft and 60 naval ships, will participate in the week-long exercise.

The Russian military said this year’s drills will focus on cooperation between allied forces to repel a hypothetical enemy in eastern Russia and the waters off the country’s Far East. Participants will also seek to improve their ability to coordinate operations to protect each other’s security and national interests.

The main events will take place at the Sergeevsky training ground in the Primorsky Territory in Russia's Far East. The Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet and the Chinese Navy will also practice defending the sea lanes and the exclusive economic zone in the Sea of ​​Japan.

Observers say the exercise will send a message that Russia is still focused on protecting its territorial integrity and is capable of maintaining normal military operations, even though the military campaign in Ukraine, in the west of the country, has entered its seventh month.

The US expressed concern about this event. At a press conference on August 30, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Washington is cautious about “any country conducting military exercises with Russia while Russia conducts a military campaign in Ukraine”. When asked, Ms. Jean-Pierre refused to say whether the US would retaliate against countries participating in military exercises with Russia, especially India./.

Hoang Pham