Russia-China Joint Sea-2026 Naval Drills Begin in Qingdao, Involving Varyag and Ufa
On July 6, 2026, Russia and China commenced joint naval exercises in the Yellow Sea near Qingdao, China, with Russian warships including the Varyag and Ufa participating. The drills, described as defensive, follow Putin's visit to China and are followed by joint patrols in the Pacific. The exercises are part of a broader strategic alignment between the two nations.
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Sources
Exercise director on the Russian side, Rear Admiral Sergey Sinko stressed that the drills are defensive in nature and are not directed against any third country
The Russian Pacific Fleet said in a statement that the exercises will take place from July 6 to 13 in the Yellow Sea, the body of water separating China from the Korean peninsula
Exercises from Monday to July 13 off Qingdao to be followed by joint maritime patrols in the Pacific Ocean.
Russian naval vessels arrived in the eastern Chinese port city of Qingdao on Sunday ahead of joint maritime drills. They include the Varyag, a Slava-class guided-missile “carrier-killer” cruiser, as well as the Ufa, a diesel-electric attack submarine, the naval arm of the People’s Liberation Army Northern Theatre Command wrote on social media on Sunday. A welcome ceremony was held at the dock to greet the Russian forces, who starting on Monday, will be taking part in the annual Joint Sea...
The drills come about two months after Russia's President Vladimir Putin visited China.