Russia, China Start Largest Naval Exercises Since USSR

Russia and China have commenced the 'Ocean-2024' naval exercises, the largest of their kind since the Soviet era, involving over 400 vessels, 120 aircraft, and 90,000 troops, spanning multiple global regions including the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. This series of drills marks a significant escalation in their military cooperation, with both nations signaling their capability and readiness to jointly address security threats and counterbalance U.S. influence. U.S. officials, such as Kurt Campbell, have expressed concerns over the deepening military ties between Russia and China, which include technological collaborations in areas like stealth technology and submarines. These developments are seen as a strategic move to challenge U.S. global dominance, with potential implications for the security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. Japan is closely monitoring the joint exercises due to the proximity and potential threat posed by these enhanced capabilities of their neighbors. President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of these exercises in testing combat readiness and responding to perceived aggressive actions by the U.S.