ALBAWABA - Russian President Vladimir Putin said the "Ocean-2024" exercises are the greatest naval drills in 30 years and feature long-range military transport planes.
Putin said via video connection that the active part of the drills would include the most difficult and combat-like tasks. He said, "This is the first time such an expansive naval operation has been conducted at this scale."
Pacific, Arctic, Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Sea maneuvers are underway concurrently. The drills will include navy vessels, long-range transport, and combat aircraft.
Along with Russian soldiers, the People's Liberation Army of China is participating in "Ocean-2024," with 15 other countries' military observers.
Putin also accused Washington of aiming to preserve global supremacy by increasing its military footprint near Russia. Putin claims the U.S. is exploiting the Ukraine war to destroy Russia strategically. While countering a "Russian threat" and deterring China, the U.S. has increased its military posture along Russia's western frontiers and in the Arctic and Asia-Pacific.
The Russian leader warned that the U.S. and its allies seek to put medium- and short-range missiles in vital western Pacific Ocean and Asian locations. He highlighted that these deployments center on the Asia-Pacific area, where the U.S. is transferring modern missile weapons.
Putin promised to increase Russia's naval capabilities, particularly its strategic nuclear fleet. He told navy exercisers: "We will develop all branches of our armed forces, increase their offensive capabilities, and train naval crews, coastal units, and aviation forces from genuine battle experience. The dependable defense of Russia and her inhabitants is our priority."
