Russian and Chinese warships hold show of force drills in the Pacific

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the drills included rescue training and airstrike response drills, as well as refueling exercises. The Russian and Chinese ships have traveled more than 6,400 nautical miles since the start of the drills.

“A group of Russian and Chinese naval vessels is operating in the East China Sea. During this time, sailors from both countries conducted anti-submarine drills, repelled an air attack by a simulated enemy, practiced rescue operations at sea, and perfected the skills of taking off and landing helicopters on the decks of warships,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Relations between Moscow and Beijing have grown closer in recent years as Russia launched a military campaign in Ukraine and tensions between Russia and the West have increased.

Earlier this week, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman said the two countries' naval fleets were conducting maritime patrols in the western and northern Pacific Oceans.

"These actions are not aimed at any third party and have nothing to do with the current international and regional situation," the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman added.

This week, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu visited Russia and attended the 11th Moscow International Security Conference, where he called for closer military cooperation between the Russian and Chinese militaries.

Moscow and Beijing have stepped up bilateral defense cooperation in recent months, and the two sides also conducted joint air patrols over the Sea of ​​Japan and the East China Sea in July.

Shows of force between the Russian and Chinese militaries have raised concerns in the region. South Korea deployed fighter jets to monitor joint military exercises between Moscow and Beijing in July.

According to VTC