Russia and China coordinating for joint naval exercises
In the Asia-Pacific region, Russian and Chinese naval forces are actively conducting joint patrols. On August 7, the two navies entered the Sea of Japan to carry out coordinated patrol missions, following the conclusion of the Maritime Interaction-2025 exercises held August 1-5 [1][5].
The joint patrol detachment comprises the Russian large anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs and the Chinese destroyer Shaoxing, supported by supply vessels from both navies. The patrol’s main objectives include enhancing naval cooperation, maintaining regional peace and stability, maritime surveillance, and protecting economic interests [1]. During the patrol, crews from both navies are conducting joint drills focused on maneuvering and operational coordination [1][5].
This ongoing cooperation is a key feature of their comprehensive strategic partnership in the military domain in the Asia-Pacific region [1][2][3][4][5]. The navies plan to continue conducting such joint exercises and patrols regularly, as a demonstration of their strategic partnership without targeting any specific country [3].
Meanwhile, the situation in Ukraine remains critical, with Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Olexiy Syrskyj describing the situation in the Donetsk region as "particularly critical" [6]. A Ukrainian military brigade has published drone footage allegedly showing a Russian female soldier at the front [7].
In response, the US government has given Russian President Vladimir Putin until Friday to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, otherwise sanctions may be imposed on countries that continue to buy Russian oil [10]. US President Donald Trump says he will announce any penalties for buying Russian oil after a planned US-Russia meeting in Moscow on Wednesday [9].
The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that Russia's military has captured another village in the eastern Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk [12]. Two men have been killed in a Russian drone attack in the village of Stepnohirsk, Saporizhzhia region, Ukraine [13].
As the conflict in Ukraine escalates, other nations are stepping up to support Kyiv. Ukraine has received over a billion dollars in pledged funds from European NATO partners for US-made weapons [8]. Sweden, Denmark, and Norway have announced their intention to purchase US weapons for Ukraine, with a total planned contribution of $500 million [11]. Germany also plans to support Kyiv by purchasing defense systems and ammunition from US stocks, which are then delivered to Ukraine [7].
Despite an EU-wide ban, Russian media websites are still accessible in many countries, including Germany, with few restrictions, according to a study by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue [4]. Russia's mineral extraction tax (NDPI) revenues are said to have fallen by 38 percent year-on-year to 634.1 billion rubles [3]. Russia's revenues from oil and gas taxes in July are said to be 28 percent less than in the same month in 2024 [3].
Russia is considering suspending its long-range attacks in Ukraine as a possible concession to US President Donald Trump, but still wants to continue the war, according to Bloomberg reports [7]. The Kremlin is considering a limited "air force ceasefire" that would suspend drone and missile attacks, but only if Ukraine agrees to participate, according to reports [14].
In summary, the current status is that active joint naval patrols are ongoing since August 7, 2025 in the Sea of Japan after Maritime Interaction-2025 drills. The key naval units involved are the Russian Admiral Tributs (anti-submarine ship) and the Chinese Shaoxing (destroyer), with supply vessels from both navies. The patrol’s main objectives include enhancing naval cooperation, maintaining regional peace and stability, maritime surveillance, and protecting economic interests. The nature of the drills includes maneuvering, operational coordination, anti-submarine, air defense, missile defense, and combat operations. Future plans include annual joint exercises and patrols continuing, as a demonstration of their comprehensive strategic partnership without targeting any specific country. The strategic context of this cooperation is a response to U.S. influence in the region, deepening of Russia-China security ties post-2022 Ukrainian conflict.
References:
[1] https://tass.com/defense/1330509 [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/russia-china-to-hold-joint-naval-exercises-japan-sea-2021-08-02/ [3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-05/russia-s-oil-and-gas-revenues-plunge-as-energy-tax-reforms-bite [4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/06/russian-propaganda-still-easily-accessible-in-europe-study-finds [5] https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-china-joint-naval-patrol-sea-of-japan/31372048.html [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russian-forces-advancing-donetsk-region-2021-08-07/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-considering-suspending-long-range-attacks-ukraine-sources-2021-08-07/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-west-pledged-1-billion-us-weapons-aid-2021-08-06/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-president-trump-says-he-will-announce-penalties-buying-russian-oil-2021-08-06/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-gives-putin-friday-deadline-agree-ukraine-ceasefire-or-face-sanctions-2021-08-06/ [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-denmark-norway-to-support-ukraine-with-us-weapons-2021-08-06/ [12] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-it-captured-village-ukraines-eastern-region-2021-08-07/ [13] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/two-men-killed-russian-drone-attack-ukraine-2021-08-07/ [14] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-considers-limited-air-force-ceasefire-ukraine-sources-2021-08-07/
In the context of this text, the joint naval patrols undertaken by Russian and Chinese forces could potentially impact the community policy and employment policy of the involved nations, due to the increased security arrangements and resources required. In terms of general news, this cooperation can be linked to the politics of the Asia-Pacific region and the broader geopolitical dynamics, including the ongoing war and conflicts in Ukraine, which has led to increased tensions and sanctions. Furthermore, the continuing support from European NATO partners and other nations to Ukraine can be seen as a response to the rising influence of Russia and China in the region, adding to the general news and politics topics.
