Moscow [Russia], September 11: Russia has launched its largest military exercise in three decades, held in many seas from the Pacific, Arctic Ocean to other regions.
The Ocean 2024 strategic naval exercise officially opened on September 10 in the Pacific Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Baltic Sea. According to RT, Russian President Vladimir Putin watched the exercise via video from the Kremlin and said that this was the largest exercise in 30 years.
More than 400 warships, submarines and support vessels, more than 120 aircraft and helicopters, approximately 7,000 pieces of weaponry and over 90,000 servicemen are taking part in the drills according to TASS.
The main objective of Ocean 2024 is to assess the readiness of the Russian Navy's senior commanders to manage diverse battle groups, handle special operations missions, and deploy advanced, high-precision weapons. In addition, the exercise is also aimed at increasing cooperation with partner navies participating in joint maritime missions.
"Russia must be ready for any development. Our armed forces must provide reliable protection of our sovereignty and national interests, repelling any military aggression in all directions, including in the oceans and seas," Putin stressed. The leader added that the Russian Navy plays a key role in solving this task.
Ocean 2024 will last until September 16. Soldiers will participate in realistic combat scenarios. Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, commander of the Russian Navy, reported to President Putin that four Chinese ships and 15 aircraft are participating in an exercise under the framework of Ocean 2024. Xinhua reported on September 9 that the aim is to strengthen the level of strategic coordination between the two militaries and enhance joint capabilities in dealing with security threats.
The Russian Defense Ministry has released several videos showing the forces participating in the exercises. The Russian Pacific Fleet conducted a missile attack on a target at sea. The fleet's warships, submarines and coastal defense systems simultaneously launched dozens of cruise missiles.
One video shows the Kalibr-PL cruise missile being launched from the submerged B-274 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky submarine. Other videos show the Bastion and Bal mobile shore-based missile systems launching the Oniks and Uran cruise missiles. The Oniks missile is supersonic and can strike targets up to 800 kilometers away.
The Russian Defense Ministry said a Northern Fleet corvette also hit a target 200 km away with a Kalibr missile.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper