By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) – China and Russia on Sunday launched a joint air and naval drill, with vessels departing a military port early in the morning for waters near Vladivostok to conduct multi-domain exercises, Global Times reported.
According to China Bugle, an official media outlet under the PLA News Media Center, participating Chinese and Russian naval formations set sail together to begin the full maritime phase of the Joint Sea-2025 exercises.
China’s rescue ship Xihu and Russia’s Igor Belousov were the first to depart, followed by Chinese guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, and Russia’s Admiral Tributs and Rezky.
The ships quickly formed a joint formation and moved toward the mission area, establishing communications and sharing key information such as weather and maritime activity.
Before deployment, a joint command from both sides held a chart-based rehearsal, discussing command structure, coordination, and refining drill subjects and safety protocols. Professional exchanges also covered undersea warfare and submarine rescue.
The joint fleet will conduct a three-day drill including submarine rescue, anti-submarine warfare, air and missile defense, and naval combat. Live-fire training will test planning and coordination from the preparatory phase.