Of the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of 20th century

The USSR officially ceased to exist on 31 December 1991. This collapse of the Soviet Union changed the world's geopolitical balance in the world. When the Soviet Union fell, it ended the tenure of a superpower with the resources of more than a dozen countries. The fall left its largest component, Russia, unable to wield anything like the global clout that the Soviet Union had for decades.

The concluding drama of the Cold War -- the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and the end of the four-decade-old East-West conflict -- unfolded in three acts between 1989 and 1991.

Since then, debates have raged over just what brought the end of the arms race, the seemingly sudden collapse of the Soviet Union, and the end of the Cold War. It is veritably said the USSR's collapse is the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century. US Establishment's ugly hand also acted to bechance this disaster with all its power behind the screen.

Taking this advantage, the United States military has egressed as the most powerful in the world. Its possession of advanced weapons systems, nearly 20 aircraft carriers and 200 military bases in 70 nations around the world have established it as the foremost military force on the planet.

But what does Russia's military now look like compared to the US? International media reports say Russia's biggest war punts since the fall of the Soviet Union commenced on 11 September 2018 close to its border with China that included joint exercises with the Chinese army. Russia deploys most advanced air defenses at army drills.

The Vostok-2018 war punts (East-2018) military drills was inspected by Russian President Vladimir Putin. It includes the participation of around 300,000 soldiers, 36,000 military vehicles, 80 ships and 1,000 aircraft, helicopters and drones. Meanwhile, some 3,500 Chinese troops were also part of the military exercise that marks the start of stronger relations between the two countries.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin gave a speech at the parade of the participants of the Vostok-2018. Russian, Chinese and Mongolian troops and military equipment paraded during the military drills.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin, China's Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu watched the parade of the participants. Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers participated in the Vostok-2018 military drills at Tsugol training ground not far from the Chinese and Mongolian border in Siberia.

Russian tank participated in the said military drills at Tsugol training ground not far from the Chinese and Mongolian border in Siberia. Russian military helicopters participated in the military drills.

Russian Army fired missiles during the Vostok-2018 military drills at Telemba training ground. Foreign media journalists disembarked from a Russian Army MI 26 helicopter as they arrived to report on the Vostok-2018. Russian Army soldiers stood guard in front of a radar installation during the Vostok-2018 military drills at Telemba training ground.

The Cold War may have ended over 20 years ago, but that doesn't mean things are all hunky-dory with America and Russia in a flash. Vostok 2018 is a showcase of Russian military might and ties with China.

War punts planned with 300,000 troops, 36,000 military vehicles, 1,000 aircraft, two Russian naval fleets and all airborne units, along with a contingent from China. The new warship is believed to be deployed at the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet which has been increasing its ties with the Chinese navy in recent years.

The question has come into increasingly sharp focus in recent months as relations between Russia and America have hit their lowest levels since the end of the Cold War.

The escalating tension followed an inflammatory announcement from Putin in last March that Russia was developing new nuclear weapons that he claimed could bypass any US missile defenses."No one listened to us," Putin said in a direct message to the US about its failure to take Russia's military might seriously.  "Listen to us now."

US President Trump hailed the passing of a spending bill that granted the biggest increase in America's military funding in 15 years."We had no choice but to fund our military because we have to have by far the strongest military in the world," Trump said. "You see the players out there, and you see what we are dealing with."

The International Army Contest is set up by the Russian military and involves events, such as, a tank biathlon, an amphibious assault contest and a fighter jet maneuvering tourney.

In the Russian leg of the joust, which is currently taking place in the Vladimir Region, teams competed in an open water contest which challenged troops to cross the Oka River using pontoons and armored vehicles.

The hosting of the event in the country comes after Russia exhibited the strength of its military power last month when it showcased its hyper-sonic super missile factory - just after a few days its President Vladimir Putin met with US President Donald Trump in Helsinki. 

Teams from 32 countries took part in the two-week event. Speaking at the opening of ceremonial occasion, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, "Each year we see more teams participating in the games as well as the contests become more complicated." Russia launched a massive military exercise, its biggest since the Cold War, reports the BBC. That alone would be enough to make headlines, but another braid has girthed it.

China took part in the war dopes as well, the first time Russia has invited any country beyond its former Soviet satellites, notes the Wall Street Journal. The bulk of the troops took part in the five-day drills in eastern Russia near the Chinese border. The stories note that the joint military exercise bechanced as both nations' relations with NATO in general and the US in particular have acetified of late.

"The exercise is an opportunity to prepare for a range of large-scale war and crisis scenarios," says an international analyst. The focus is on the Pacific theater for contingencies, in North Korea, for example. But the capabilities tested could apply to a conflict with the West."

This is China's largest such exercise outside its own borders. The first day coincided with a visit to Russia by Chinese President Xi Jinping. "We're obviously aware of it, we're watching it closely," said Army Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman. "We're aware of Russia's right to sovereignty and to exercise in order to ensure their readiness."

According to the AP reports, Russian supersonic Tu-160 bombers flew thousands of miles from Saratov, Russia, to the Bering Strait along with Tu-95 strategic bombers and tanker planes for in-flight refueling. The Moscow Times reported that a total of around 10 aircraft were involved.

United States Navy Capt. Scott Miller said in a statement, "At approximately 10 a.m. Eastern time, two Alaskan-based norad F-22 fighters intercepted and visually identified two Russian TU-95 'Bear' long-range bomber aircraft flying in the Air Defense Identification Zone off the western coast of Alaska, north of the Aleutian Islands."

Captain Miller noted that the Russian aircraft did not violate America's sovereign airspace and flew "according to international norms." This demonstration was obviously another show of Russian force.

The Tu-160 can carry 44 tons of ordnance, including six cruise missiles or 12 shorter-range missiles, all carrying nuclear warheads. The Tu-95, another Soviet-era model, can hold up to 20 tons of nuclear-capable missiles.

The Russian military exercise, although it did not violate any laws, but it was a clear demonstration that Russia can deploy bombers from great distances and launch devastating nuclear attacks at American targets. During the Cold War, the Soviet Air Force flew such missions regularly. Russian President Vladimir Putin is showing the world that he is now restoring Russia's power to Soviet levels.

In 2007, Putin said, "Russia has a very important goal which is to retain leadership in the production of military equipment," referring to resumed production of Tu-160 and Tu-95 bombers. Alexander Burutin, then adviser to the president and current lieutenant general of the Russian Armed Forces, said that Air Force exercises are meant to be used as a "means of strategic deterrence" against the West.

As Russia continues to rise and to reestablish its military power, it states that for over a decade after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, it was outside the mainstream of world affairs. But under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, who became president in 2000, things have changed radically.

Putin has called the Soviet Union's collapse the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century. He has dedicated himself to reversing that catastrophe and restoring Russia to what he sees as its rightful position as a formidable world power.

This is also required to create a power of balance in the world-order to forestall an unpreventable US power which has ravaged the world premiere for more than seven decennia at free-will and is still coiffing the same way.

But that must be pulled down for a better peaceable world for peoples of all over the globe to live in peace of mind and in concordance. A large part of Russia's strategy to become a world superpower again is strengthening its military, and that is exactly what it has done.

The writer is a commentator
on politics, political and
human-centered figures
and international affairs