Russia calls US-South Korea military drills an 'open preparation for war'

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that joint U.S.-South Korea military drills amounted to "open preparation for war".

25 March 2026 at 13:29:49

Russia calls US-South Korea military drills an 'open preparation for war'

U.S. army soldiers take part in a U.S.-South Korea joint river-crossing exercise, which is a part of the annual Freedom Shield joint military training, near the demilitarized zone separating South and North Korea, in Yeoncheon, South Korea, March 14, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon

Kim Soo-hyeon/Reuters

MOSCOW- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that joint U.S.-South Korea military drills amounted to "open preparation for war".

Washington and Seoul launched their annual large-scale exercises in South Korea in mid-March, saying they were defensive and designed to test readiness against potential military threats from North Korea.

"Officially, they (the drills) were described as defensive exercises, but judging by the activities carried out during them and the equipment deployed, these manoeuvres are nothing less than open preparations for war," Zakharova said.

-Reporting by Dmitry AntonovWriting by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Andrew Heavens/Reuters