Putin puts on a brave face: Russia is forced to scale back its Vostok war drills with China and deploys 50,000 troops instead of 300,000 as it did four years ago due to huge losses in Ukraine. 56′ Russia has emphasized that the Ukraine conflict will not hinder its ability to conduct the Vostok 2022 military exercises.
However, the 50,000 Russian forces participating in exercises represent only a fraction of the 300,000 who conducted drills in 2018.
Putin’s soldiers are struggling to make progress in Ukraine, as seen by the scaled-down war games.
Russia and China resumed their week-long Vostok war drills today, although on a much smaller scale than in 2018, reflecting the pressure on Vladimir Putin’s forces as they struggle to gain ground in eastern Ukraine.
Moscow stated last month that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would have no impact on its ability to conduct the military exercise.
However, the rumored participation of 50,000 Russian troops in the Vostok 2022 war games is a fraction of the 300,000 that participated alongside Chinese and Mongolian forces four years ago.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that 140 military aircraft, 60 warships, and more than 5,000 pieces of military hardware will be deployed, a significant reduction from the 1,000 aircraft and 36,000 tanks and armoured vehicles that participated in the 2018 exercises.
The reduced size of this year’s Vostok war exercises is a reflection of the significant losses incurred by Russian troops and weaponry in Ukraine since the invasion began six months ago.
“This will be the smallest strategic-level exercise in years, as the whole ground forces potential is currently engaged in operations in Ukraine.” Therefore, the exercise must be quite limited,’ said Konrad Muzyka, director of the Polish military consulting firm Rochan.
Russia and China resumed their week-long Vostok war drills today, but on a much smaller scale than in 2018, a reflection of the strain on Putin’s forces as they try to advance in eastern Ukraine.
Thursday, Chinese soldiers march with their national banner during the Vostok 2020 military competitions in Russia.
On Wednesday, service men participate in a ceremony launching the Vostok 2022 military exercises at a firing range in Russia’s far eastern Primorsky region.
Moscow stated last month that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would have no impact on its ability to conduct the military exercise. However, the rumored participation of 50,000 Russian troops in the Vostok 2022 war games is a fraction of the 300,000 that participated alongside Chinese and Mongolian forces four years ago.
2018 VOSTOK WAR GAMES: The 50,000 Russian troops rumored to be participating in the Vostok 2022 war games are a fraction of the 300,000 who practiced alongside Chinese and Mongolian forces four years ago (pictured)
2018 VOSTOK WAR GAMES: Russian soldiers with Kalashnikov rifles stand in line during the 2018 Vostok war games to hear Vladimir Putin speak.
Regional powers such as Japan and South Korea will observe the exercises as a significant show of force by Russia and China, which joined forces during Vostok 2018 and will again participate in land and maritime exercises.
The exercises will continue until September at seven fire ranges in Russia’s Far East and the Sea of Japan.
In the Sea of Japan, Russia’s Pacific Fleet and China’s navy will participate in “joint practical activities to secure maritime communications and marine economic activity zones.”
Monday, the Russian military television channel Zvezda released footage of Chinese servicemen unloading armoured vehicles transported to Russia by rail.
Russia has relied extensively on units from the Far East to bolster its war effort in Ukraine, thousands of kilometers to the west, where its forces have suffered huge losses in personnel and equipment in the six months since its invasion while capturing roughly one-fifth of the territory of its neighbor.
This month, Britain’s defense minister Ben Wallace stated that Russia has lost up to 80,000 troops since crossing the Ukrainian border on February 24, while a senior Ukrainian military intelligence official cited reports of low morale and physical exhaustion in Russian ranks due to Moscow’s ‘exhausted’ resource base.
Russia’s allegation that 50,000 Russian military will participate in the games has been questioned by experts.
Muzyka stated that 70-80% of troops from Russia’s eastern military zone had been sent to Ukraine, making it “difficult” for Moscow to release 50,000 personnel for training.
He stated that a more probable range would be 10,000 to 15,000 individuals.
It’s just Russia acting as if everything is fine, and they still have the ability to conduct a large-scale military drill with China. In actuality, though, I believe the breadth of this exercise, particularly from the standpoint of the ground force, will be extremely limited,’ he said.
The eastern military district encompasses a portion of Siberia and has its headquarters near the Chinese border in Khabarovsk.
The exercises will continue until September at seven fire ranges in Russia’s Far East and the Sea of Japan.
Wednesday marks the beginning of the Vostok 2022 military exercises at a fire range in the Primorsky area of Russia’s far east.
On Wednesday, service men pose for a photograph during the opening ceremony of the Vostok 2022 military exercises at a firing range in Russia’s far eastern Primorsky region.
Mongolian military personnel assembling military vehicles for participation in Vostok 2022 operations at the Sergeyevsky training area in the Primorsky district of the Russian Far East.
Wednesday, Armenian service members participate in the opening ceremony of the Vostok 2022 military exercises at a fire range in Russia’s Primorsky region.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that 140 military aircraft, 60 vessels, and over 5,000 pieces of military hardware will be deployed, a significant reduction from the 1,000 aircraft and 36,000 tanks and armoured vehicles that participated in the 2018 manoeuvres.
The war exercises were inaugurated by the deputy Russian defense minister, Colonel-General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, in the absence of his superior, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is said to have been sidelined by Vladimir Putin due to his failings in the Ukraine conflict.
During the 2018 VOSTOK WAR GAMES, the Russian, Chinese, and Mongolian flags fly alongside one another in a show of combined might.
The war exercises were inaugurated by the deputy Russian defense minister, Colonel-General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, in the absence of his superior, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is said to have been sidelined by Vladimir Putin due to his failings in the Ukraine conflict.
“Today, soldiers and officers from ten states are standing in a single formation, and a total of fourteen nations are participating in this exercise,” said Yevkurov.
Tens of thousands of service members and thousands of pieces of equipment are conducting combat training missions in real time at nine training grounds according to a single plan.
He stated, “Exercises held within a coalition of states contribute to the formation of a common understanding regarding the organization of forces’ training, their command, and their interaction at the operative and tactical levels, as well as to the strengthening of the friendship and combat partnership between servicemen.”
Alexander Fomin, a deputy defense minister in the Kremlin, stated, “The drills are solely defensive in character and do not target any particular state or military alliance.”
Since Putin deployed his forces into Ukraine on February 24, defense connections between Moscow and Beijing have become deeper, as demonstrated by the exercises.
The rumored participation of 50,000 Russian troops in the Vostok 2022 war games is a fraction of the 300,000 that participated alongside Chinese and Mongolian forces four years ago.
Wednesday marks the beginning of the Vostok 2022 military exercises on a firing range in the Primorsky area of Russia’s far east.
According to Russia’s defense ministry, Algeria, India, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Syria, and the former Soviet republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are sending military contingents and observers to the Vostok 2022 war games. On Wednesday, Algerian army men participate in the opening ceremony for the military exercises.
Chinese personnel are preparing Chinese military trucks for unloading upon arriving at the Sergeyevsky training site in the Primorsky area in the Russian Far East in preparation for the war exercises.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that 140 military aircraft, 60 vessels, and over 5,000 pieces of military hardware will be deployed, a significant reduction from the 1,000 aircraft and 36,000 tanks and armoured vehicles that participated in the 2018 manoeuvres.
DURING THE 2018 VOSTOK EXERCISES, Russian armoured troop carriers are pictured against a backdrop of other military equipment.
China has declined to criticize Russia’s actions, blaming the United States and NATO for provocation, and has criticized Russia’s harsh penalties.
Russia has aggressively supported China in the midst of tensions with the United States that followed Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan.
Putin drew comparisons between U.S. assistance for Ukraine and Ms. Pelosi’s trip, characterizing both as part of suspected U.S. efforts to sow global unrest.
Political expert Alexander Gabuyev stated, “It is crucial for Beijing to demonstrate to the United States that it has the ability to exert pressure on America and its global interests.
‘The joint operations with Moscow, including naval drills, are meant to show that if the pressure on Beijing continues, it will have no choice but to enhance its military relationship with Russia. It will directly affect the interests of the United States and its allies, notably Japan.
In recent years, Russia and China have conducted a series of combined war exercises, including naval drills and patrols by long-range bombers over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea.
Last year saw the inaugural deployment of Russian troops to Chinese territory for joint exercises.
The Chinese Defense Ministry stated last week that China’s participation in the drills aims to “deepen pragmatic and friendly co-operation between the militaries of the participating countries, enhance the level of strategic co-operation among all participating parties, and enhance the ability to jointly respond to various security threats.”
Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have formed strong personal relations to reinforce a’strategic cooperation’ between the former communist foes, who are currently in competition with the United States.
Putin has stated that a military alliance cannot be ruled out, despite the fact that Moscow and Beijing previously ruled out the concept.
He also emphasized that Russia has been providing China with extremely sensitive military technologies, which have considerably bolstered China’s defense capacity.
According to Russia’s defense ministry, Algeria, India, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Syria, and the former Soviet republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are sending military contingents and observers to the Vostok 2022 war games.
India emphasizes its neutrality over the Ukraine conflict and aims to preserve good relations with both the West and Russia.
It obtains the majority of its military equipment from Russia, but is also a part of the Indo-Pacific Quad alliance with the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Karen Jean-Pierre, the press secretary for the White House, stated, “The United States is concerned about any country that exercises with Russia as Russia fights an unwarranted, barbaric war against Ukraine.”
However, each participating nation will make its own decisions. And with that, I will conclude.
Regarding India, she stated, “We are concerned about any country doing exercises with Russia while Russia is conducting this unwarranted war.”
`