Russian Navy's Pacific Drills Receive Praise and Criticism

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the military's performance during massive naval drills that have involved the entire Russian Pacific Fleet, which began on Friday and involves 167 warships, including 12 submarines, 89 aircraft, and 25,000 troops. As part of the drills, Russia's nuclear-capable long-range strategic bombers will fly over the central part of the Pacific Ocean to imitate strikes against groups of enemy ships. The drills were intended to "test the Pacific Fleet’s readiness to repel aggression" and were a show of Russia's "voluntary transparency."