Russia, China kick off joint naval drills

This handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on July 20, 2023 shows the rescuers carrying a wounded woman from a destroyed residential building after a missile strike in the centre of Mykolaiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / Ukraine Emergency Service / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / ” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / ” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS /

Russia said Thursday it had started joint naval drills with China in the Sea of Japan as the two allies seek to deepen their military cooperation.

Ties between Moscow and Beijing have grown closer since Russia launched its Ukraine offensive last year, a move China has not condemned.

The Russian defence ministry said the main goal of the exercises that will run until Sunday is to “strengthen naval cooperation” between the two countries and “maintain stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific region”.

The drills will include “anti-submarine missions and naval combat” and the sea and air escort of ships, the ministry said, adding there are also plans “to carry out joint artillery fire”.

The Russian navy is represented by two anti-submarine ships, two corvettes as well as auxiliary ships, the ministry said.

Beijing said on Sunday it was sending five warships, including a guided-missile destroyer.

More than 30 navy aircraft are involved in the drills from both sides, including anti-submarine aircraft, helicopters and interceptors, the Russian ministry said.

China and Russia carried out a joint air patrol over the Seas of Japan and East China last month, which prompted South Korea to deploy fighter jets as a precaution.

It was the sixth such China-Russia patrol in the area since 2019.