At what point is a drill more than just a drill? Maybe when it is so massive it could be confused for an invasion force, involving a mindblowing 155,000 troops, more than the armies of most sovereign nations, 4,000 armoured vehicles, 632 planes and helicopters and 84 vessels. Those are the staggering numbers taking part in the Vostok-2014 strategic exercises, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, and whose main priority is ti "demonstrate that the degree of combat preparedness in Russian troops has risen." One almost wonders why...

Photos via Itar-Tass:

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu praised the troops' combat readiness. Official results, however, will be summed up later

The drills are the final stage of a series of command and staff, and special exercises, drills, and surprise inspections in 2014

The troops drilled anti-landing defence in Primorsky and Kamchatka Territories

Missiles were fierd from the Varyag cruiser during the anti-landing defence operation

Aviation went on operational duty in Russia's Arctic zone

And the commentary from RIA:

The recent large-scale military exercise in Russia's Far East, Vostok-2014, demonstrated that the degree of combat preparedness in Russian troops has risen, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday. The minister said that although "final conclusions are yet to be made," the troops involved have demonstrated efficient command and "a better degree of combat preparedness." Shoigu said that the Vostok-2014 exercise is nearly complete. "This large-scale event of operational and combat training of the Eastern Military District was a logical continuation of an unannounced combat readiness check carried out on the orders of the Supreme Commander Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin," the minister said. Addressing the servicemen who distinguished themselves in battle maneuvers in Cape Skalistii, Shoigu said: "You have actually demonstrated great skill, professionalism and the ability to ensure the military security of the Russian Federation in the eastern region." The Vostok-2014 strategic military exercise in the Eastern Military District is taking place from September 19 to 25. The exercise was preceded by unannounced combat readiness checks.

One can only hope that the above "combat preparedness" is completely unrelated to what is now an invasion of sovereign territory by "US-led alliances" on a weekly if not daily basis.