OREANDA-NEWS In the Far East began military maneuvers "East-2018", which will be the largest in the modern history of Russia. This is reported by the Department of information and mass communications of the Russian Defense Ministry.

"In the Far East of Russia, the maneuvers of the East 2018 troops started," the Defense Ministry said.

The maneuvers will be held under the leadership of defense Minister Sergei Shoigu from 11 to 17 September in the Far East of Russia and in the neighboring waters of the Pacific Ocean. The exercises are deployed at nine sites, in the waters of the Bering and Okhotsk seas, Avachinsky and Kronotsky bays.  

It is noted that the "East-2018" will be the largest military maneuvers in the last 37 years. In total, they will involve almost 300 thousand military, tens of thousands of armored vehicles, helicopters, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. Also at one stage, the military from Mongolia and China will join the exercises.

The defense Ministry reported that in the" East-2018 " will be worked out ways to use interspecies military groups to ensure the defense of Russia. The Russian defense Ministry said that the maneuvers necessary to check the preparedness of military authorities in planning and conducting the regrouping of troops over great distances. Also, the maneuvers will work out the organization of interaction between land groups and Navy forces.

The most dynamic events will unfold at one of the largest landfills of Transbaikalia — Tsugol. More than seven thousand units of weapons, military and special equipment, about 250 aircraft and helicopters were transferred here. The General staff tried to complicate the task as much as possible to participants — they will have to act in a fast and constantly changing environment, to make operational and non-standard decisions. In particular, the troops will work out maneuverable defense, learn how to destroy the enemy with artillery fire and army aircraft. It is planned to widely use robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Earlier, the press Secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov answered the question about the presence of the heads of other States at the exercises "East-2018". Participation was confirmed by more than 90 observers from 57 countries, the NATO military liaison mission and the Permanent mission of the European Union to the Russian Federation.