Despite the 'Ukraine Crisis'... China and Russia Conduct Joint Naval Exercises in Arabia

On the 25th (local time), naval vessels from China and Russia are conducting joint exercises in the Arabian Sea.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Amid rising military tensions in Europe due to the possibility of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russia and China conducted joint naval exercises in the western waters of the Arabian Sea.

On the 25th (local time), the Russian Ministry of Defense stated in a press release, "Sailors from both countries conducted a simulated hijacked ship release exercise in the Arabian Sea."

Russia and China reportedly practiced tactical maneuvers and searching for hijacked ships during the exercise named "Sea of Peace-2022."

On the Russian side, the Pacific Fleet's 11,000-ton missile cruiser "Varyag," the 6,800-ton large destroyer "Admiral Tributs," and the large tanker "Boris Butoma" participated, while on the Chinese side, the missile destroyer "Urumqi" and the support ship "Taihu" were involved.

Earlier, on the 20th, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that "a series of exercises will be conducted in the areas of responsibility of all Russian Navy fleets during January and February." It explained that more than 140 warships and support vessels, over 60 military aircraft, more than 1,000 military equipment units, and over 10,000 soldiers would participate in exercises conducted in the Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, Northeastern Atlantic, and Pacific Ocean.

Recently, Russia and China have declared a joint front against the United States' "unilateralism" and are strengthening cooperation in various fields including diplomacy, economy, and military.