ALWAGHT- Amid rising tensions with the United States over the Ukraine conflict, Russia and China have begun their 'Joint Sea-2025' naval exercises near Vladivostok in the Sea of Japan, marking a further strengthening of their military cooperation.
Russia and China have launched a three-day naval exercise, "Joint Sea-2025," in the waters east of Russia, featuring mock maritime combat, anti-submarine warfare, and missile defense drills. Four Chinese vessels, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are participating alongside Russian warships in a series of coordinated operations designed to simulate real-world security threats in the Western Pacific. The drills also involve weapons training and follow a structured sequence of force assembly, joint planning, and execution.
The exercise aims to enhance joint capabilities in safeguarding strategic maritime routes and conducting coordinated military responses. Following the drills, both navies will engage in their sixth joint maritime patrol in the Pacific. As tensions with the US and its allies rise, particularly over the Ukraine conflict, Russia and China continue to deepen their military, economic, and political ties through such joint operations and high-level strategic cooperation.
Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, China has positioned itself as a neutral party, avoiding direct criticism of Moscow while calling for peace talks. Western nations accuse Beijing of indirectly supporting Russia, but China denies these claims and instead blames the West for prolonging the conflict by arming Ukraine. The Joint Sea drills, which have taken place annually since 2012, reflect the growing alignment between the two powers in the face of increasing geopolitical friction.
