Russia Hosts Wweeping Joint War Games with PLA

On August 30th, Russia says it will host sweeping military drills in east Russia, involving forces from communist China. A drill highlights close defence ties between Moscow and Beijing amid tensions with the West over the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that the “Vostok 2022” (East 2022) military exercise will be held between the 1st and 7th of September in various locations in Russia’s far east and the Sea of Japan. The drills involve 50 thousand troops, more than 5 thousand weapons units, 140 aircraft and 60 navy warships.

The military drills will be conducted at seven firing ranges in Russian far east regions and participant troops from ex-Soviet nations, and China, India, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua and Syria.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that Russian Airborne units, long-range bombers and military cargo planes will take part in the drills along with other forces. As part of the manoeuvres, the Russian and Chinese navies in the Sea of Japan will “practice joint action to protect sea communications, areas of marine economic activity and support for ground troops in the littoral area”.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Fomin specified that the naval drills would take place in the northern and central parts of the Sea of Japan.

The military drills reflect increasing defence ties between Moscow and Beijing, which appears have grown stronger since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th early this year.