Support The Moscow Times!
Contribute today

In Pictures: Putin Inspects Massive Russian War Games

The Vostok-2018 drills taking place in eastern Siberia involve 300,000 Russian troops and will include joint exercises with the Chinese army. Kremlin.ru
"This is the first time our army and fleet have undergone such a difficult and large-scale test," Putin said in comments published on the Kremlin website. Kremlin.ru
The exercises also involve over a thousand military aircraft as well as up to 36,000 tanks. Kremlin.ru
At the games, President Vladimir Putin promised to strengthen the army and supply it with new generation weapons. Kremlin.ru
The games come amid tense relations between Russia and the West that have fallen to a post-Cold War low. Kremlin.ru
The games are Russia's biggest since the fall of the Soviet Union. Kremlin.ru
Putin told soldiers that Russia was a peaceful country ready for cooperation with any state interested in partnership, but that it was a soldier's duty to be ready to defend his country and its allies. Kremlin.ru
"We are going to further strengthen our armed forces, supply them with the latest generations of weapons and equipment and develop international military partnership," Putin said. Kremlin.ru

Reuters contributed reporting.

Read more about: Defense

More image galleries

winter sports

Moscow Skates Through the Pandemic at Outdoor Ice Rinks

Outdoor ice skating rinks opened over the weekend despite the pandemic.
tis the season

Moscow Welcomes Winter's First Snowfall

A Scandinavian cyclone transformed the capital into a winter wonderland.
all of the lights

Moscow Prepares for Pandemic New Year's

This year's festivities may be canceled, but that's not stopping the Russian capital from going all-out with the decorations.
easing the pressure

Moscow Medics Battle Coronavirus On Converted Ice Rink

The capital's main speed-skating venue is now being used to treat hundreds of coronavirus patients.

Independent journalism isn’t dead. You can help keep it alive.

The Moscow Times’ team of journalists has been first with the big stories on the coronavirus crisis in Russia since day one. Our exclusives and on-the-ground reporting are being read and shared by many high-profile journalists.

We wouldn’t be able to produce this crucial journalism without the support of our loyal readers. Please consider making a donation to The Moscow Times to help us continue covering this historic time in the world’s largest country.