Russia is secretive about the cost of its massive military exercises, however. When asked by reporters if the cost of holding the exercises was justified at a time when Russia is faced with higher social spending demands, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the war games were essential.
“The country’s ability to defend itself in the current international situation, which is often aggressive and unfriendly towards our country, means [it] is justified,” Peskov told reporters on a conference call.
This year’s games are being held in Russia’s far east (hence the name “Vostok,” which means “East”) but the annual exercises are usually held in different geographical parts of the country every year. Last year, they were held in the west (“Zapad”) of the country with “Zapad 2017” taking place along its borders with north-eastern Europe, much to the annoyance and concern of its neighbors.
The exercises come at a tense time for Russia’s relations with the rest of the world. Its dogged by allegations that it meddled in the 2016 U.S. election and was responsible for a nerve agent attack in the U.K. It’s military role in Syria has also caused rifts with the West. As such, its large-scale military exercises often cause consternation in the West.
But Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s general staff, insisted last week that the Vostok 2018 exercises are purely defensive in nature and are not directed against any other countries.
“The manoeuvres are not directed against other countries and are in line with our military doctrine, which is defensive in character,” he said, news agency Interfax reported.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu gave more details about Vostok 2018 last week, saying exercises would be held across nine testing grounds, including four Aerospace Force and Air Defense grounds, and three seas: the Sea of Japan, Bering Sea and Okhotsk Sea, news agency TASS reported.
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