Moscow - Saba:
The Russian Pacific Fleet announced on Friday that joint Russian-Chinese naval exercises, dubbed "Maritime Interaction 2025," will be held in the Sea of Japan from August 1 to 5.
The fleet explained in a statement that the Russian group of ships will be led by the anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Tributs, while the Chinese side will be led by the destroyer Shaoxing. Diesel-electric submarines and naval aviation from both countries will also participate in the exercises.
The fleet emphasized that "the exercises are defensive in nature and do not target any other country," noting that they will include a coastal and a maritime component.
The statement indicated that "a joint command headquarters will be established in Vladivostok for planning and map training, while at sea, forces will train in search and rescue operations, anti-submarine warfare, and air defense missions, in addition to conducting joint artillery firing at one of the Pacific Fleet's combat training ranges."
Earlier, a group of Chinese ships arrived in Vladivostok, including the destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, a diesel-electric submarine, the integrated supply ship Qiandaohu, and the submarine rescue ship Sihu.
These ships docked alongside the Russian destroyer Admiral Tributs, the frigate Gromky, the submarine Volkhov, and the rescue ship Igor Belousov, all of which will participate in the maneuvers.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang previously stated that some of the participating forces would conduct a joint naval patrol in the Pacific Ocean after the conclusion of the sixth regular drills. He emphasized that these maneuvers are part of the annual cooperation plan between the Russian and Chinese militaries, are not directed against any third party, and are not related to the current international or regional situation.