Russian, Chinese Navies Complete Fifth Joint Pacific Patrol

The Russian and Chinese navies have completed their fifth annual joint naval patrol in the Pacific Ocean, marking a continued deepening of military cooperation between the two nations since the initiative began in 2021. The patrol, which started after the Maritime Interaction 2025 naval drill, involved coordinated operations including anti-submarine tasks supported by deck-based aircraft and covered over 6,000 nautical miles. Key vessels included Russia’s Admiral Tributs anti-submarine ship and China’s Shaoxing destroyer and Qiandaohu supply ship, which departed from Vladivostok and made a resupply stop in Kamchatka. The route included transit through strategic waterways such as the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and possibly the Sea of Okhotsk, demonstrating a strategic presence in the region amid increased Western naval activity. Both navies emphasized their commitment to regional peace, stability, and the protection of maritime economic interests through these joint patrols. This ongoing collaboration reflects a strategic convergence between Moscow and Beijing in response to shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.