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“Caucasus 2020”: Russia begins the biggest military maneuver of the year
Russia has deployed its army to the Caucasus for the largest military exercise this year. A maximum of 12,900 soldiers from China, Pakistan, Belarus, Armenia and Myanmar, among others, will participate in the international exercise, which is scheduled until Saturday.
Around 80,000 people participate in the “Caucasus 2020” maneuver under the leadership of the Russian General Staff. “The exercise is not aggressive in nature,” said Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov, even before the official start on Monday at the Kapustin Yar training area in the Astrakhan region of the Volga.
A Russian tank in St. Petersburg (file photo) Image: EPA / EPA
From the point of view of Moscow’s defense politicians, the move is no less a reaction to similar NATO exercises in Russia’s neighborhood. The exercise strengthens cooperation between participating states and improves the joint approach of the soldiers, he said. The Russian navy is also involved. In total, the event spans 14 locations, including some in the Black and Caspian Seas.
One of the objectives is to simulate military operations in the resolution of armed conflicts related to the fight against terrorism. Technical staff and civil defense employees are among the many involved.
Some 250 tanks and more than 600 other combat technology units would be used, including artillery systems. Due to the corona pandemic, Russia temporarily held back with military maneuvers and asked NATO to reduce its exercises as well. (sda / dpa)
