Vostok 2010
Encyclopedia
Vostok 2010 was an large-scale Russia
n military exercise held in Siberia
and the country's Far East from June 29 to July 8, 2010. The drill involved at least 20,000 troops, up to 70 warplanes and 30 warships. For the first time in Russia's modern history the military exercises involved the warships of three Russian fleets — the Black Sea Fleet
, Pacific Fleet
and Northern Fleet
s. Another first, was the redeployment of Sukhoi Su-24M frontline bombers and Su-34 multi-role fighters from bases in the European part of Russia 8,000 km away in non-stop flights with two in-flight refuellings. The exercise also marked the first time mechanised infantry airlifted from the Urals Mountains used heavy weapons stored at reserve depots established near the Chinese border.
Gen. Nikolay Yegorovich Makarov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said this year's strategic drills would include the firing of live ammunition, simulated airborne assaults and amphibious assault landings. Acourding to the general the Far East was chosen for its broad expanses, limited infrastructure, and difficult weather and climate. The flagships of the Northern Fleet and the Black Sea Fleet
will participate in the naval exercises conducted in the Sea of Japan
. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
observed the naval exercises of Russia's Pacific fleet while on board the nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy (Peter The Great) in the Sea of Japan
near Vladivostok
, Russia on July 4, 2010.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n military exercise held in Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
and the country's Far East from June 29 to July 8, 2010. The drill involved at least 20,000 troops, up to 70 warplanes and 30 warships. For the first time in Russia's modern history the military exercises involved the warships of three Russian fleets — the Black Sea Fleet
Black Sea Fleet
The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....
, Pacific Fleet
Pacific Fleet
A number of countries currently have or previously had an Pacific Fleet in their navies.*United States Pacific Fleet*Pacific Fleet *Pacific Naval Force *British Pacific Fleet...
and Northern Fleet
Northern Fleet
The Red Banner Northern Fleet is a unit of the Russian Navy that has access to the Barents and Norwegian Seas, the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, and is responsible for the defense of northwestern Russia. It was established in 1937 as part of the Soviet Navy...
s. Another first, was the redeployment of Sukhoi Su-24M frontline bombers and Su-34 multi-role fighters from bases in the European part of Russia 8,000 km away in non-stop flights with two in-flight refuellings. The exercise also marked the first time mechanised infantry airlifted from the Urals Mountains used heavy weapons stored at reserve depots established near the Chinese border.
Gen. Nikolay Yegorovich Makarov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said this year's strategic drills would include the firing of live ammunition, simulated airborne assaults and amphibious assault landings. Acourding to the general the Far East was chosen for its broad expanses, limited infrastructure, and difficult weather and climate. The flagships of the Northern Fleet and the Black Sea Fleet
Black Sea Fleet
The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....
will participate in the naval exercises conducted in the Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is the third President of the Russian Federation.Born to a family of academics, Medvedev graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1987. He defended his dissertation in 1990 and worked as a docent at his alma mater, now renamed to Saint...
observed the naval exercises of Russia's Pacific fleet while on board the nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy (Peter The Great) in the Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
near Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
, Russia on July 4, 2010.