Putin personally inspects Vostok 2018 military games in eastern Russia

Vladimir Putin flew to far eastern Siberia on Thursday to personally oversee the third day of the massive Vostok 2018 war games.

The Russian President watched as 300,000 troops, 36,000 tanks and 1,000 aircraft went on manoeuvres at the Tsugol range, near the border with China.

Putin also watched a huge military parade in which Russian troops lined up alongside their Chinese and Mongolian counterparts.

After the parade he addressed the troops, pledging to further strengthen Russia’s army though adding that his country is prepared to cooperate with others on the world stage.

Vladimir Putin traveled to eastern Siberia on Thursday to personally oversee the third day of the Vostok 2018 military exercise, which is the largest to happen in Russia for three decades

The exercises feature more than 300,000 Russian troops, 36,000 tanks and 1,000 aircraft, practicing alongside their Chinese counterparts (pictured, a Russian tank)

The exercises feature more than 300,000 Russian troops, 36,000 tanks and 1,000 aircraft, practicing alongside their Chinese counterparts (pictured, a Russian tank)

Putin heaped praise on his military after the exercises were complete, saying they had passed the toughest test faced by the armed forces in years with flying colours

Putin heaped praise on his military after the exercises were complete, saying they had passed the toughest test faced by the armed forces in years with flying colours

Russian attack helicopters fire missiles over the Tsugol training ground as Vladimir Putin watches on

Russian attack helicopters fire missiles over the Tsugol training ground as Vladimir Putin watches on

The exercises come after years of increased military spending by Russia as it attempts to update its equipment, some of which dates to the Cold War

The exercises come after years of increased military spending by Russia as it attempts to update its equipment, some of which dates to the Cold War

Russian jets fly overhead as explosives are detonated on the Tsugol range on Thursday. The exercises took place close to Russia's border with China, and featured Chinese troops

Russian jets fly overhead as explosives are detonated on the Tsugol range on Thursday. The exercises took place close to Russia’s border with China, and featured Chinese troops

Russian artillery shell a target area during the Vostok games, with explosives seen raining down at the top left of the picture

Russian artillery shell a target area during the Vostok games, with explosives seen raining down at the top left of the picture

Russian observers watch from the back of a military transport as explosives are detonated across the Tsugol practice range

Russian observers watch from the back of a military transport as explosives are detonated across the Tsugol practice range

A huge fireball created by a detonating explosive lights up the practice range as Russia and China take part in exercises

A huge fireball created by a detonating explosive lights up the practice range as Russia and China take part in exercises

Putin vowed to continue strengthening his country's military in the coming years, but insisted that he remains peaceful and is willing to cooperate with countries around the globe

Putin vowed to continue strengthening his country’s military in the coming years, but insisted that he remains peaceful and is willing to cooperate with countries around the globe

After watching the troops in action, Putin was also treated to a military parade in which Russian troops formed up alongside their Chinese (pictured) and Mongolian counterparts

After watching the troops in action, Putin was also treated to a military parade in which Russian troops formed up alongside their Chinese (pictured) and Mongolian counterparts

Russian artillery parade past a viewing platform where Putin was sat, and from which he later addressed the soldiers

Russian artillery parade past a viewing platform where Putin was sat, and from which he later addressed the soldiers

Chinese tanks take part in a joint military parade under Putin's watchful eye at the Tsugol military range

Chinese tanks take part in a joint military parade under Putin’s watchful eye at the Tsugol military range

A huge procession of Russian and Chinese vehicles and aircraft make their way past Vladimir Putin

A huge procession of Russian and Chinese vehicles and aircraft make their way past Vladimir Putin

The drills will continue until September 17 at five bases in eastern Siberia and in the Sea of Japan, but Thursday marked the most intense day of manoeuvres

The drills will continue until September 17 at five bases in eastern Siberia and in the Sea of Japan, but Thursday marked the most intense day of manoeuvres

He said: ‘Russia is a peaceful state, we do not have and cannot have any aggressive plans.

‘[But] Our duty to our country and Motherland is to be ready to protect sovereignty, security and national interests of our country and, if needed, to support allies.’

Putin also heaped praise on those who took part in the drills, saying: ‘You demonstrated the high-level performance. All units and formations have fulfilled the set tasks.

‘Our army and navy have passed such a difficult and big exam for the first time… 

‘All components of the troops’ combat readiness, preparedness of the management bodies, units and formations as well as the organization of their cooperation… are subjected to comprehensive checks.’

The exercises are scheduled to continue for another four days at five ranges across the Russian far east, including in the Sea of Japan. However, Putin’s visit marked an end to the most active part of the drills.

Vostok 2018 – which means East 2018 in English – is the largest Russian military exercise to take place in three decades and comes after Putin spent years modernising the country’s military.

Artillery units from the Chinese People's Liberation Army take part in the military parade on Thursday

Artillery units from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army take part in the military parade on Thursday

Russian armoured troop transports are seen against a backdrop of other military vehicles during the Vostok 2018 drills

Russian armoured troop transports are seen against a backdrop of other military vehicles during the Vostok 2018 drills

Russian, Chinese and Mongolian flags fly alongside one-another as the countries put on a joint show of strength

Russian, Chinese and Mongolian flags fly alongside one-another as the countries put on a joint show of strength

Chinese troops take part in the military parade under Putin's watchful eye

Chinese troops take part in the military parade under Putin’s watchful eye

Vladimir Putin greets members of the Russian youth patriotic organizations at the training ground

Vladimir Putin greets members of the Russian youth patriotic organizations at the training ground

Russian Sukhoi fighter jets tear through the sky as they take part in the military drills

Russian Sukhoi fighter jets tear through the sky as they take part in the military drills

Hundreds of helicopters rehearse dropping troops and supplies on to the battlefield as part of the war games

Hundreds of helicopters rehearse dropping troops and supplies on to the battlefield as part of the war games

Russian paratroopers descend from a helicopter as Russia stages its largest military games in recent history

Russian paratroopers descend from a helicopter as Russia stages its largest military games in recent history

Soldiers abseil from a military helicopter over the training ground, about 250 kilometers (156 miles ) north of the city of Chita

Soldiers abseil from a military helicopter over the training ground, about 250 kilometers (156 miles ) north of the city of Chita

Putin also handed out awards to soldiers who had performed particularly well in the games, including four from Russia, four from China, and two officers from the Mongolian army

Putin also handed out awards to soldiers who had performed particularly well in the games, including four from Russia, four from China, and two officers from the Mongolian army

Putin delivers his speech to troops alongside Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu, who is standing to his right

Putin delivers his speech to troops alongside Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu, who is standing to his right

Putin inspects a loaf of bread as he meets military cooks during the Vostok 2018 drills on Thursday

Putin inspects a loaf of bread as he meets military cooks during the Vostok 2018 drills on Thursday

The government has increased military spending every year since 1998, with the exception of 2017 when it fell due to an economic crisis, in an effort to update Soviet-era systems by 2025.

That has included developing a new battle tank – the T-14 Armata – alongside state-of-the-art nuclear missiles dubbed Satan 2 by NATO.

Russia also plans to develop a new generation of aircraft carriers to replace its one ageing ship, the Admiral Kuznetsov, and was working towards a new stealth fighter – the SU-57 – though it is unclear if this will see service.

The Vostok games comes a year after Russia staged another huge military exercise – Zapad 2017, which means West 2018 in English – in Belarus. 

Moscow insisted that only around 12,000 troops would participate, though at the time NATO believed up to 100,000 soldiers were massing for the drills. It has since walked back this claim.

Military leaders also insisted that the exercise was designed to prepare Russia for an invasion of Europe, despite the Kremlin’s assurances that it has no aggressive intentions.

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