Russia begins massive war drill close to China border

[bhramos]

MOSCOW (PTI): Russia is beginning a 10-day unprecedented military drill in the eastern parts of the country involving tens of thousands of troops, air and naval combat units, seen as Moscow's largest post-Soviet wargames close to the borders with China.

Chief of the General Staff Army Gen Nikolai Makarov on Monday said the strategic exercise, codenamed Vostok 2010 (Orient-2010), will take place on June 29 through July 8 involving combat units from the Far Eastern, Siberian and Volga-Urals military districts, as well as the Pacific Fleet.

"This exercise... is not directed against any concrete country or military-political bloc. It has a purely defensive nature in ensuring the security and national interests of the state in the Far East," Gen Makarov underscored amid the media speculations about Moscow preparing for war with China.

As part of the drills, the Armed Forces will practice the deployment of additional troops in Siberia and the Far East to reinforce the existing military contingent in the region in case of a military conflict, he said.

According to RIA Novosti, at least 20,000 troops, up to 70 warplanes and 30 warships will participate in the wargames.

As part of the preparations for the wargames Russia has been practicing the redeployment of its Sukhoi Su-24M and Su-34 bombers from western bases to the Far East with two mid-air refuelling.

The state-run Rossiya TV showed impressive footage of mid-air refuelling of latest multirole Su-34 bombers over the Urals, half way to their destination in the Far East.

Earlier reports suggest that crack combat units of the Russian Northern and Black Sea Fleets, including nuclear powered 'Pyotr Veliky' (Peter-the-Great) cruiser will also take part in the wargames in the close vicinity of China, Japan and two Koreas.

Last year, Russia and Belarus had held similar wargames in the west, simulating attack and counter-attack on NATO member states along the Russian borders.

http://www.brahmand.com/news/Russia-begins-massive-war-drill-close-to-China-border/4288/1/30.html

 

[bhramos]

Russia starts large-scale military drills in Far East

The Russian Armed Forces started on Tuesday large-scale Vostok-2010 military exercises in Siberia and the country's Far East, a spokesman for the Far Eastern military district said.
"The exercises started on schedule, without delays. They are being held on the territory of the Far Eastern and Siberian military districts from June 29 through July 8," the official said.
At least 20,000 troops, up to 70 warplanes and 30 warships will take part in the drills on 15 training grounds.
Gen. Nikolai Makarov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, earlier said this year's strategic exercises will include the firing of live ammunition, simulated airborne assaults and amphibious assault landings.
As part of the drills, the Armed Forces will practice the deployment of additional troops in Siberia and the Far East to reinforce the existing military contingent in the region in case of a military conflict.
Makarov stressed on Monday that the Vostok-2010 drills were not aimed against any one country.
"This exercise...is not directed against any specific country or military-political bloc. It has a purely defensive nature in ensuring the security and national interests of the [Russian] state in the Far East," he said.
Russia holds Vostok strategic command-and-staff exercises every two years. More than 8,000 troops took part in Vostok-2008.

KHABAROVSK, June 29 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100629/159616039.html