Russia conducts 10‑day naval drills amid Pacific tensions
On Tuesday, Russia began 10-day naval exercises in the Pacific. The exercises will involve 40 vessels and approximately 20 aircraft and helicopters. Kremlin officials emphasize that the manoeuvres are a routine demonstration of Russia's naval forces.
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The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Moscow began 10-day naval exercises on Tuesday. The exercises involve dozens of ships sailing in the Pacific and waters near South Korea and Japan. The manoeuvres will include combat against submarines and response to aerial attacks.
"Sailors will practice actions against submarines, the defence of ship units at sea, joint missile attacks on groups of ships belonging to a hypothetical enemy, training in countering drone and unmanned attacks, and carrying out a range of practical and combat exercises," the statement said.
Approximately 40 vessels, as well as about 20 planes and helicopters, are participating in the manoeuvres. The exercises will take place from June 18 to June 28 in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.
Russian show of force
Video footage published by the Russian ministry shows several ships, including one submarine, sailing in formation in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok, the home port of Russia's Pacific Fleet.
Russia routinely conducts exercises in the Pacific waters to show naval strength. Still, Western countries have been watching them with more concern since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The exercises precede President Vladimir Putin's Tuesday visit to North Korea. According to GMT, they began at midnight on Tuesday, June 18th.
