It is a tradition that Russia implemented a year after the annexation of Crimea and that not even the armed conflict in Ukraine will topple this summer. Between August 13 and 27, thousands of soldiers from all over the world will gather in Russia for a tournament that simulates military clashes between hundreds of military teams. Vladimir Putin called it the “International Military Games”, but the martial encounter (which functions as an international exercise) became better known as the “War Olympics”.
The website dedicated to this year’s event is not accessible, but pages from previous editions reveal that the competitions include simulations of attacks with biological or chemical weaponsaccuracy tests with army snipers, exercises with military planes, combat between Navy ships and a face to face with tanks.
Competitions with divers, military personnel handling fire artillery, engineering units, K9 team soldiers (with dogs) are also planned; Y to clashes between medical teams, food services in a context of war and leadership experts.
Some of the 36 competitions planned for 2022 will not take place in Russia, but in 13 other countries. Among these countries are the usual presences such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, China (which has already begun sending troops and tanks to the Russian region of Zabaikalsk in Siberia), Iran and Kazakhstan; and also him Venezuela, which will be the first South American country to host some of the clashes.
This year, according to the Russian news agency Tass, Russia has received the registration of at least 275 military teams from 37 countries. Saudi Arabia and Rwanda will participate in the War Olympics for the first time this year. Portugal never participated in this Russian military event, but Greece signed up every year between 2016 and 2020, making it the only NATO country to participate. in the Russian military simulation. The United States, France and Germany are among Western countries that watched the event but never joined.
According to Mark Galeotti, consulting director of Mayak Intelligence, explained in a Foreign Policy article that the War Olympics, which have their roots in a tank showdown event implemented in 2013, reminiscent of any other mass sporting event, with the cheers of support coming from the stands and the giant screens with the statistics of the participants.
“The event is an unabashed celebration of military life, values and equipment,” described the expert, who saw a tank battle in Russia: “The ultimate public goal of the games is to normalize the military as part of society. russian, project to Russians a manly perspective on their country’s place in the world and subliminally supporting one of the core elements of Putin’s legitimizing narrative.”
the war olympics ends three days before strategic military exercises in eastern Russia begin with troops from other countries. “Vostok”, as the event is called, which has been held regularly since 2019, will take place between August 30 and September 5.
Source: Observadora
