“I emphasize that Center-2019 is not directed against other countries and that the opposing side refers to conditional states that contribute to the spread of terrorism,” RIA Novosti quoted Shoigu as saying.
He noted that "the dates, the number of troops, weapons and military equipment, as well as the design of the exercises, have been brought to interested persons and representatives of the military-diplomatic corps."
Nearly 130 thousand people, more than 20 thousand units of military equipment and weapons and about 600 aircraft will be involved in the Center-2019 exercises, which will be held from September 16 to 21.
Associate Professor of the Department of Political Science and Sociology of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, member of the expert council “Officers of Russia”, military political scientist Alexander Perendzhiev evaluated the strategic exercises “Center-2019”.