Russian Army Games gather 13m internet viewers

More than 13 million viewers of Russia's Defense Ministry website and social networks have formed a global audience viewing pictures and live transmission of Russia's first-ever International Army Games.

Live broadcasts of the competitions and opening ceremony were accessible on the ministry's internet page, attracting 150,000 users in the first day. The games progress, results and schedules were also highlighted, delivering 400 articles and more than 800 pictures.
Russia's games began on August 1 and continue until August 15. They are assembling 57 teams from 17 nations carrying out exercises at locations across the country.

"The audience of Russia’s Defense Ministry accounts on the games assembled 11 million users worldwide," the ministry press service told reporters on Thursday. The games were covered by Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.

Microblog Twitter had more than 300 messages on the games' progress and the official Facebook webpage shared 120 posts and 42 videos with its audience, the ministry said. "The official ministry website won a 2 million audience, including 450,000 foreigners," it announced.