On Friday, September 16, Russia began military exercises in the eastern part of the Arctic Ocean - just opposite Alaska. They were called "Umka-2022" and included preparations for potential hostilities in the Arctic region. The Russian Federation has already launched cruise missiles as part of the exercises.

The Russian Defense Ministry said two nuclear submarines launched anti-ship cruise missiles from the Chukchi Sea, Omsk and Novosibirsk. The shells hit targets at a distance of 400 kilometers. A video of missile launches from ships was posted on social networks. The ships were located within the Northern Sea Route, a commercial transport channel Russia promotes as an alternative for transporting goods from Europe to Asia.

According to the statements of the Ministry of Defense of the aggressor country, the Arctic exercises this week were a test of "the ability and readiness of Russia to defend the Russian Arctic by military means." The Russian Federation also simulated strikes from the Bastion coastal missile system against sea targets at 300 kilometers from the Chukotka Peninsula.

On September 1, the active phase of the Vostok-2022 military exercises began in Russia. China and India attended them. The Russian Federation was going to involve 50 thousand soldiers in the framework of the exercises; however, according to British intelligence, the aggressor would be able to attract no more than 15 thousand soldiers.