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Russia

Arctic military drills begin

The Russian military has launched massive military maneuvers in the Arctic, part of its effort to expand its presence in the polar region. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday that the drills will involve 38,000 troops, more than 50 surface ships and submarines and 110 aircraft. He said that President Vladimir Putin has ordered the maneuvers to check the readiness of Russia's Northern Fleet and the military's ability to deploy additional forces from central Russia.