Putin flexes Russian military muscle in naval exercise
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President Vladimir Putin ordered large-scale military exercises in the Black Sea on Thursday, projecting Russian power towards Europe and the Middle East in a move that may vex neighbours.
Officials suggested the surprise drill would test reaction speed and combat readiness, but Putin's order also seemed a signal to the West of Russia's presence in the region. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Putin triggered the manoeuvres as he flew back overnight from South Africa after a summit on emerging economies, saying 36 warships and an unspecified number of planes would take part. (Reuters)
