Russia's biggest military drills since 1981

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01:46

China and Russia vow to further deepen military ties and improve troop combat capabilities. These and other pledges were made as the two neighbors wrap up "Vostok-2018" which was followed by a joint military parade.

The drills simulate an anti-invasion campaign. In the first stage, Russian artilleries, armored vehicles and tanks start a mechanized defense along with their Chinese counterparts.

Photo by Yang Zaixin

Then the troops crossed a river to pursue and attack, raining bombs on the makeshift enemy. Fighter-bombers and helicopters from the two countries also drop bombs and fire shells from the air.

Senior Colonel Li Xincheng, a helicopter pilot, told CGTN that in previous China-Russia drills, the two air forces carried out separate attack missions. "But this time, we operated together in a unified formation," he added.

In the final phase, the two nations' forces attack and push the enemy back across the border.

Photo by Yang Zaixin

After observing the drills by helicopter, Russian President Vladimir Putin watched the joint military parade held by the two armies. Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe was also in attendance.

"We will continue to strengthen our armed forces, equip them with latest weapons and technologies, to develop international military cooperation," Putin added.

During the military parade, the Russian army rolled out many of its latest and mightiest battle weaponry, including T-90 tanks, and the Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets.

For China, the PLA displayed some of its latest equipment, like the Type-99 main battle tank, WZ-9 and WZ-19 attack helicopters.