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This clip features a compilation of reports about and footage from Russia’s recent "Ocean 2024" naval exercise, which is the largest naval exercise held by Russia since the Soviet era. The exercise will last until September 16 and is taking place simultaneously in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Seas. It reportedly involves the use of over 400 warships, submarines, and support vessels, as well as 125 naval aircraft, 7,500 units of advanced weaponry and hardware, and over 90,000 personnel. The systems used in the exercise include Ka-29 attack helicopters, BAL coastal missiles, Kh-35 anti-ship missiles, Oniks and Vulkan missiles, MiG-31BM interceptors, Il-38 and Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft, Tu-22M3, Su-24, Su-30SM, Su-33, Il-28, Il-38N and Su-30SM2 bombers and fighters, 2M-3 automatic anti-aircraft guns, and more.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement about the exercise that the United States is attempting to preserve its military and political domination at any cost, that its aggressive actions are an attempt to break the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region, and that it is provoking an arms race. Notably, the exercise involved a small number of Chinese vessels and aircraft, and is the first of two joint Russia-China naval exercises planned for this month, with the second exercise, dubbed “Northern Interaction 2024,” planned to be held by China at the end of the month.
Vladimir Putin: "For the first time in the last three decades, we are conducting such large-scale exercises at sea. They will be held simultaneously in the waters of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Seas."
Presenter: "The drills have been dubbed Ocean 2024, and they are well underway. Take a look at this.
"Russia isn't shy when it comes to showing off its naval power. The Russian Defense Ministry keeps sharing footage from the drills. Here is some footage that was shared a few hours ago. It shows Russia's night drills. They tested out the Kh-35 Uran cruise missiles. They were fired from a Corvette. Other warships launched Moskit anti-ship cruise missiles, lighting up the sea. And onshore Russia was testing its Bastion-Postal missile system which fired Oniks. These are supersonic anti-ship missiles meant for postal defense. All of this footage you are seeing was shared freely by the Russian Defense Ministry. Moscow is basically sending a message."
Putin: "We see that the United States of America are trying to maintain global military and political dominance at any cost. With their aggressive actions, the United States are seeking to achieve tangible military advantage and thereby breaking the existing security architecture and balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. In fact, the United States are provoking an arms race."
Presenter: "Putin says that the US is provoking an arms race and his drills seem to say that the race is on. He's not backing down. Think about the scale of the exercise, let's pull up the map for you to look at how the drills are spread. Russia has multiple naval bases in most of the regions, it even has a base in the Mediterranean in the city of Tartus in Syria. So Putin was not bluffing he really can hole drills in five seas simultaneously, maybe more. Right now though the biggest theater for the drills is the Pacific. That's where the bulk of the Russian naval forces are and they aren't alone.
"China is also taking part in Ocean 2024. This is the first of at least two joint drills being held this month. After participating here, China will host its own drills called Northern Interaction 2024. These will take place in late September. So that’s two joint drills, two joint Russia-China naval exercises back-to-back. It's definitely a message to the west and the US has taken note, but Washington is trying to play it cool."
John Kirby: "These are two nations that don't have a long history of working well together, certainly not militarily. These are two nations that don't necessarily fully trust one another, in the region or beyond, around the world. So, we'll watch it and monitor, but there's no dramatic imminent concern."
Presenter: "And he may be right, the cooperation is not exactly dramatic. Look at the numbers. Russia says the ongoing exercise involves 90,000 military personnel, over 400 ships and vessels, 125 aircraft, and over 7,500 units of weapons and equipment. These were the figures given by the Russian navy chief. And how much is China's contribution? Three ships, one vessel, and 15 aircraft, that's what the Russian navy said. So four out of 400 war ships are Chinese, 1%. That's really stretching the definition of joint in joint drills. The Chinese navy is basically on an internship. The Russians have real combat experience, China does not, unless you count harassing neighboring countries.
"So Beijing wants its troops to learn something from the Russians. It's certainly beneficial for China, but will this help Russia in the long run? Maybe not militarily but it will help them diplomatically. It helps Moscow send a powerful message to the west. It shows them that Russia is not alone and that western efforts to isolate it have failed."
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