Russia and China perform their first military drill since the invasion of Ukraine
As per the news, it claims that Russian and Chinese military planes performed combined exercises to patrol the Asia-Pacific area. This was for the farewell to US Vice President Joe Biden as he wrapped up a trip to Asia that enraged Beijing. Since Tokyo was visiting the leaders of the Quad group of countries, which includes the United States, Japan scrambled jets after Russian and Chinese airplanes approached its airspace, according to Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, who branded the move a provocation.
According to a US official, it was the first combined military exercise between China and Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine on February 24, and it came at the end of Biden’s four-day tour. During the tour, Biden emphasized that the US will stand with its allies and partners to strive for a free and open Indo-Pacific area, in part to offset China’s growing influence in the region. Just weeks before Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the invasion of Ukraine, Beijing and Moscow announced a “no-limits” alliance, which China has refused to denounce.
As per the Russian military ministry, we came to know that the joint patrol lasted 13 hours over the Japanese and East China seas and comprised Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers and Chinese Xian H-6 fighters. For part of the drill, Japanese and South Korean planes shadowed Russian and Chinese jets.
Furthermore, Chinese naval warships are expected to have taken part in the joint drill. The coordinated aerial patrol over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and Western Pacific was verified by China’s defense ministry as part of an annual military drill.