Russian leaders have sent tens of thousands of soldiers across the border to fight in Ukraine. They are struggling to find reinforcements. Despite this, they are going ahead with military drills in the Far East.

The weeklong drills, held every four years, will start on Thursday. On Wednesday, troops staged an opening ceremony in the Primorsky region. They will train alongside forces from 13 other countries. Russian defense officials say 50,000 personnel will take part.

In the 2018 drills, the number was put at 300,000. Despite this, Russian leaders say what is happening in Ukraine has not changed things.

Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov said, "The scope of the exercises, the composition of the states participating, the number of personnel, weapons, and special military equipment involved, underscore the increased role and importance of the training."

Chinese leaders sent their forces to improve their ability to cope with security threats. But they say the exercise is "unrelated to the current international and regional situation."

Indian leaders maintain ties with both Russia and Japan. Their troops will not take part in the maritime drills.

Japanese defense officials say training around islands Japan calls the Northern Territories is "unacceptable." Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them.