Russia inaugurates joint military exercises with allies, including China and Belarus

Latest news on the war pitting Russia and Ukraine.

Russia has inaugurated this Thursday large-scale joint military exercises with China, India, Belarus and other Asian countries with the aim of “ensuring military security” in the region and “strengthening friendship and camaraderie” among its allies.

The ‘Vostok 2022’ maneuvers will be held from September 1-7 under the leadership of the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and will involve more than 50,000 soldiers and over 5,000 weapons and military equipment, as well as 140 aircraft and 60 warships, boats and ships.

During these exercises, coalition troops are to perform joint tasks for the “practical development of defensive and offensive actions,” simulating “keeping the peace” and protecting “common interests,” as well as ensuring “security” in the eastern region, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The military exercises will involve the Armed Forces of the aforementioned countries, China, India and Belarus, as well as Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Tajikistan. Nicaragua, Syria, Kazakhstan and Laos will also participate.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin already said on Monday that these joint military tests are of a “purely defensive nature” and are not directed against a military alliance or any specific country, Interfax news agency reported.