The Ministry of Defense of Russia announced today that from September 1 to 7, exercises of Russian, Chinese and military forces of other countries will take place in the east of Russia.
The "Vostok 2022" (East 2022) exercises will take place in several locations in the Russian east and in the Sea of Japan and will involve more than 50.000 soldiers, 140 aircraft, 60 warships and almost 5.000 pieces of other weapons and military vehicles.
The ministry released a video of Chinese soldiers arriving in Russia and preparing for an exercise.
The exercises will be conducted at seven training sites in eastern Russia and will involve troops from several former Soviet countries, as well as China, India, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua and Syria.
The ministry announced that units of Russian airborne troops, long-range bombers and military cargo planes will participate in the exercises.
As part of the maneuvers, the Russian and Chinese navies will "practice joint actions to protect maritime communications, areas of maritime economic activity and support ground troops in coastal areas" in the Sea of Japan.
First announcing the exercise last month, the Russian military stressed that it was part of planned combat training that continues despite Moscow's military action in Ukraine.
The drills, AP notes, reflect Moscow's and Beijing's growing defense ties, which have strengthened since Russia sent its troops to Ukraine on February 24. China has emphatically refused to criticize Russia's action, blaming the US and NATO for provoking Moscow, and criticized punishing Moscow with sanctions.
Russia, in turn, strongly supported China amid tensions with the US following the recent visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Speaking earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew parallels between US support for Ukraine and Pelosi's trip to Taiwan, saying both were part of alleged US efforts to fuel global instability.
Russia and China have held a series of joint military exercises in recent years, including naval exercises and long-range bomber patrols over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Last year, Russian troops were deployed for the first time on Chinese territory for joint maneuvers.
Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have developed strong personal ties to strengthen the "strategic partnership" of their former communist rivals, as both Moscow and Beijing face growing tensions with the West.
Although Moscow and Beijing have dismissed the possibility of a military alliance in the past, Putin said such a prospect cannot be ruled out. He also noted that Russia shares highly sensitive military technologies with China, which has greatly helped in strengthening its defense capability.
Bonus video:
