Putin Conducts Successful Large-Scale Military Drills at "Vostok-2014"

The "Vostok-2014" strategic military exercise in the Eastern Military District is taking place from Sept. 19 to 25, and are in full swing - in Kamchatka, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, Chukotka and Primorye.

Vladimir Putin thanked Defense Minister Shoigu for the successful operation. During a teleconference between Kamchatka and Novorossiysk, Shoigu briefed the President on the manoeuvres and stated that the troops proved their high readiness.

The troops involved demonstrated efficient command and "a better degree of combat preparedness," Shoigu said. The Defense Minister also showed video of the most striking episodes.

Up to now, the exercises have involved 13 surface ships, three submarines, 13 vessels, 40 aircraft, 28 helicopters, four unmanned systems, as well as four coastal missile system launchers.

"More than 155,000 servicemen, some 8,000 units of military hardware, including over 4,000 armoured vehicles, 632 aircraft, and 84 ships, are taking part in the exercises," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted Shoigu as saying.

"This large-scale event of operational and combat training of the Eastern Military District was a logical continuation of an unannounced combat readiness check carried out on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin," the minister said.

He added that high intensity of combat training and snap checks contributed to the growth of the training level of military administrations and teamwork of units and formations.

Putin said Vostok-2014 is "the largest event of this type that we have ever conducted." He asked Shoigu to present a thorough report after the exercises, as well as analysis of all the problems revealed.

Tasks to protect Russia's interests and security are being practiced at the drills, according to Shoigu.

During the exercises, nuclear submarines successfully launched P-700 Granit anti-ship cruise missiles, while Russian guided- missile cruiser Varyag hit the target with a P-1000 Vulkan cruise missile, said the minister as he reported to Putin about the exercises.

#Russia flexes it's military preparedness. Prelude to something more sinister? @euromaidan @cnnbrk @HromadskeTV @UN pic.twitter.com/BmViIEU6fo
— Silver Surfer (@RobPulseNews) September 24, 2014