Russia Staging Biggest Military Exercises br Since Cold War Next month, Russia will mobilize about 300,000 troops, including thousands of soldiers from China, in its Vostok-2018 military exercises. The exercises will take place from br Sep. 11-15, spanning from the Ural br Mountains to the Pacific coast. Almost a third of the country's soldiers will be involved, making these exercises the largest since 1981, according to a ministry press release. Sergei Shoigu, Russia Defense Minister, br via Bloomberg Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said that the drills were necessary Dmitry Peskov, via Bloomberg China will contribute br 3,200 troops and 30 aircraft.