The Vostok-2018 military exercises will be held far from the NATO states and will not affect their security, claims of Russia's preparations for a conflict are groundless, Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Friday.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th September, 2018) The Vostok-2018 military exercises will be held far from the NATO states and will not affect their security, claims of Russia's preparations for a conflict are groundless, Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Friday.
Vostok-2018, set to become the largest military exercises held by Russia in over 30 years, are scheduled for September 11-17 at five ranges in the east of Russia, and in the waters of the Sea of Japan, Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. According to previous estimates, about 300,000 troops were set to participate in the maneuvers. The drills have gained an international status, with troops from China and Mongolia set to take part in one of the stages.
"As regards statements that Russia is preparing for a large-scale conflict, we have heard them from the representatives of NATO and some member countries, we are used to them. The West is still seeking to find a Russian threat in any event, there are no grounds for this. The Vostok-2018 drills are conducted far from the NATO area of responsibility and does not affect the security of its member states in any way," Zakharova told a briefing.
