Large-scale military exercises dubbed ‘Vostok-2014’ are being held this week in Russia’s Eastern Military District (Russia’s Far East and Eastern Siberia) between September 19 and 25. During the preceding week, an unannounced inspection of the combat and mobilization readiness of civilian agencies was carried out. Vostok-2014 will conclude the military’s series of exercises for 2014.
Large-scale military exercises dubbed ‘Vostok-2014’ are being held this week in Russia’s Eastern Military District (Russia’s Far East and Eastern Siberia) between September 19 and 25. During the preceding week, an unannounced inspection of the combat and mobilization readiness of civilian agencies was carried out. Vostok-2014 will conclude the military’s series of exercises for 2014.
Above: Russian Air Force helicopter pilots performed a record-breaking long distance flight which was unprecedented in the history of Russian military aviation, when 16 Mi-8AMTSh assault helicopters flew from Iturup in the Kuril Islands over the sea to Elizovo Airfield in Kamchatka. The helicopters traveled over 1,300 kilometers over the sea’s surface and were in the air for over six hours. The flight was made possible due to the installation of several additional fuel tanks, which allowed the helicopters to travel without the need to stop for refueling.
Above: Russian Air Force helicopter pilots performed a record-breaking long distance flight which was unprecedented in the history of Russian military aviation, when 16 Mi-8AMTSh assault helicopters flew from Iturup in the Kuril Islands over the sea to Elizovo Airfield in Kamchatka. The helicopters traveled over 1,300 kilometers over the sea’s surface and were in the air for over six hours. The flight was made possible due to the installation of several additional fuel tanks, which allowed the helicopters to travel without the need to stop for refueling.
For the strategic exercises, the Russian Ministry of Defense activated over 155,000 personnel, thousands of combat vehicles, hundreds of airplanes and helicopters, and dozens of ships.
Above: Paratrooper during the Vostok-2014 military exercises in Primorye territory.
Above: Paratrooper during the Vostok-2014 military exercises in Primorye territory.
The Su-25 ‘Grach’ close air support aircraft carried out a landing which was unique in the history of the Russian Air Force, setting down on the M-60 highway in Primorye during the Eastern Military District exercises. Prior to its landing, three other Su-25s had touched down on the highway, rolled for a few hundred meters, and then rose again into the air.
Above: The Su-25 ‘Grach’ during the Vostok-2014 military exercises in Primorye territory.
Above: The Su-25 ‘Grach’ during the Vostok-2014 military exercises in Primorye territory.
Above: The preparation of a Su-25 ‘Grach’ close air support Maritime Territory plane for takeoff in the vicinity of a backup airfield, set up near the M-60 federal highway in Russia’s Maritime Territory (Primorye), as part of the Vostok-2014 strategic exercises.
According to Alexander Zaripov, pilot first class, the landing was more psychologically intimidating than it was technically difficult. “The ditches to the sides of the road were worrying,” Zaripov noted. Alexander Zaripov, pilot first class and commander of the 18th Attack Aviation Regiment, made Russian military history when he became the the first pilot to land his combat aircraft on a highway.
Above: The Su-25 ‘Grach’ is preparing for the take-off during the Vostok-2014 military exercises in Primorye territory.
Above: The Su-25 ‘Grach’ is preparing for the take-off during the Vostok-2014 military exercises in Primorye territory.
Above: Russian paratroopers fought a simulated clash with an enemy comprised of saboteur commandos.
Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu said that the Vostok-2014 exercises demonstrated the increased level of combat readiness of Russia’s armed forces.
Above: Paratroopers during the Vostok-2014 military exercises in Primorye territory.
Above: Paratroopers during the Vostok-2014 military exercises in Primorye territory.
Above: The Su-25 ‘Grach’ close air support aircraft during takeoff from a stretch of highway in the vicinity of a backup airfield, placed near the M-60 federal highway in Russia’s Primorye Territory.
