President Vladimir Putin exaggerated the number of Russian vessels partaking in large-scale military exercises which kickstarted on Tuesday, according to an investigative outlet.
The drills, dubbed Ocean-2024, are being held jointly with China and will span the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas, through September 16.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (C), Commander-in-Chief of Russian Navy Alexander Moiseyev (R) and Defense Minister Andrey Belousov (3R) on Navy Day, July 28 2024, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Putin exaggerated the number of Russian vessels partaking in large-scale military exercises which kickstarted on Tuesday, according to an investigative outlet.
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The Russian Defense Ministry said the drills will involve more than 400 warships, submarines and support vessels, at least 125 military aircraft, and more than 90,000 troops. Putin told military officials that the drills, aimed at testing the combat-readiness of his units and the use of high-precision weapons and other modern weapons, are the largest of their kind in 30 years.
Russia’s navy has been targeted by Ukrainian forces throughout the war with Ukraine after Putin’s invasion on February 24, 2022. Kyiv’s forces have taken out some of Russia’s prized vessels, claiming responsibility for the sinking of the flagship Moskva.
Ukraine also has disabled one-third of Putin’s prized Black Sea Fleet, according to Dmytro Pletenchuk, former Ukrainian Navy spokesperson.
According to Russian investigative site Agentstvo, experts estimate that Russia’s current active fleet is nearly half of the figure provided by the defense ministry.
The Russian Navy has 265 ships, submarines, and patrol boats, the publication said, citing the Global Naval Powers ranking for 2024.
“The service currently counts 265 total units in its active naval inventory. This total includes frontline commissioned vessels but excludes smaller patrol vessels, auxiliary/survey subs, replenishment, and historical ceremonial types,” the Russian Navy ranking states.
Agentstvo also cited the RussiaShips.info project, which assessed that the Russian Navy has 299 ships and submarines.
The investigative outlet said that after subtracting the Black Sea Fleet, which is not taking part in the drills, just over 200 warships and submarines can “theoretically take part in the exercises.”
“How many of them will actually go to sea is unclear,” Agentstvo said.
Newsweek has contacted Russia’s Defense Ministry for comment by email.
The strategic military exercise will take into account “the experience gained during the special military operation,” Putin told military officials on Tuesday, using the term he coined to describe the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“We pay special attention to strengthening military cooperation with friendly states,” he said. “Today, in the context of growing geopolitical tensions in the world, this is especially important.”
“We see that the United States of America is trying to maintain its global military and political dominance at any cost, and for this purpose, using Ukraine, they are trying to inflict a strategic defeat on our country,” the Russian president continued.
“Russia must be prepared for any development of the situation, and our Armed Forces must ensure reliable protection of the sovereignty and national interests of Russia, and repel possible military aggression in any direction, including in the ocean and sea zone,” he added.
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