Russian bomber planes have been spotted flying over Norwegian waters as part of the largest naval exercise carried out by Moscow in the post-Soviet era.
The Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber planes were also flown over the Barents sea, the defence ministry said, as part of “Ocean-2024” military drills that were launched on Tuesday. Around 400 warships, 120 aircraft and 90,000 personnel will take part in the drills until Sept 16.
The defence ministry released footage of the drills, which showed missile launches and gunfire being aimed at water surface targets.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said the purpose of the exercise was for Moscow’s forces to learn the lessons from its “special military operation” in Ukraine as he accused Washington of provoking a new arms race.
Fifteen countries have been invited to observe the drills, Putin said, though the US only expects China to take part.
The military drills pose “no threat to the US homeland or to the Nato alliance,” Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, said.
Read more here: [ Ссылка ]
#russia #ukraine #china
