Russian and Chinese naval forces are carrying out joint artillery and anti-submarine exercises in the Sea of Japan, according to a statement from Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
The activities form part of a scheduled exercise programme and are said to not be directly linked to recent political developments.
The drills are taking place shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of two American nuclear submarines to unspecified locations in response to comments made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
A combined detachment of Russian and Chinese vessels is participating in the operation, including a Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers.
Diesel-electric submarines from both nations, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue vessel, are also involved. The exercises, known as “Maritime Interaction-2025”, are scheduled to conclude on Tuesday.
According to Russian news agency Interfax, the joint forces are engaging in artillery firing, anti-submarine operations, air defence drills, and search and rescue training.
Russia and China have held regular joint military exercises in recent years as part of efforts to improve operational coordination.
The two countries signed a “no-limits” strategic partnership shortly before the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022.
Trump stated that his decision to order the positioning of nuclear submarines was made in response to Medvedev’s comments regarding the potential for conflict between nuclear-armed states. Public references to the movement of nuclear-armed submarines by either Russia or the United States are uncommon
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