In this way, Russia wants to show solidarity with other countries in times of extreme tension with the West.
According to Moscow, 5,000 military vehicles, 140 aircraft and 60 warships and other boats are to be used in the “Vostok 2022” (“East 2022”) exercise. The maneuver is to take place at military training areas in Eastern Siberia and the Far East, as well as in the Sea of Japan.
Above all, the participation of China and India in the maneuver attracted attention in the West. Relations between the world’s two most populous countries and nuclear powers have been strained since a military incident at their shared border in the Himalayas two years ago that left several dead.
India’s participation is also interesting because the country has always emphasized its neutrality in the Ukraine war in recent months and has declared that it has good relations with Western countries and Russia. On the one hand, most of India’s military equipment comes from Russia, on the other hand, India is part of the Indo-Pacific security alliance Quad together with the USA, Japan and Australia. In this mixed situation, India has held back with official statements on the military exercises.
