According to the Russian Defense Ministry press office, Vladimir Putin, who arrived at the Tsugol training center, not far from the border with China and Mongolia, assisted, together with Defense Minister Serghiei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valeri Gherasimov, at the main stage of the "Vostok-2018" exercise, the biggest drill in Russia since the end of the Cold War (1981).
During his visit, Putin presented prizes to ten soldiers from Russia, China and Mongolia who distinguished themselves during the maneuvers declaring that the Army and Navy of Russia are ready to face "serious threats". "Russia - Putin said - is a country of peace. We do not have and can not have plans of aggression ".
17 soldiers, 300.000 between tanks and armored vehicles, over a thousand jets and helicopters as well as the ships of the North and Pacific Fleet will be deployed in the exercises, which will close the next 36.000 September.