Russia and China Hold Pre-planned Naval Drills Amid Tensions with U.S.

Russian and Chinese naval forces have begun joint exercises in the Sea of Japan (also known as the East Sea), just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines to key strategic regions, Orda.kz reports.

According to The Telegraph, the drills kicked off on Sunday, August 3, and will last three days. While the exercises were pre-planned, they are drawing increased attention due to a recent war of words between Trump and former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

Four Chinese warships, including two guided-missile destroyers, are participating in the maneuvers near Vladivostok.

The scenario includes detecting and neutralizing an enemy submarine.

Though Russia and China have both said that no third country is being targeted by their military cooperation, Japan has objected to the drills. It said that greater strategic coordination between Beijing and Moscow poses a “strong concern” for its national security,

 The Telegraph notes.

Earlier, Medvedev threatened Washington with war if sanctions were escalated further. Trump called the statement “deeply provocative” and said he had ordered the redeployment of two nuclear subs to “appropriate regions.”

Later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged restraint in public nuclear rhetoric, emphasizing that American subs routinely patrol those regions. He stated Russia does not view the move as an escalation and reiterated the need for caution when discussing nuclear matters.

As The Telegraph points out, governments rarely disclose such sensitive submarine movements.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny