Russia and China have started joint naval and air defense drills in the Sea of Japan.
Russia's military said on August 21 that the exercises will last until August 28 and involve 22 vessels, up to 20 aircraft, and more than 500 military personnel from both countries.
The exercises are taking place in the Gulf of Peter the Great, which lies off the strategic Far Eastern Russian port city of Vladivostok, and in the Sea of Japan.
The drills could especially alarm Japan, which is involved in an ongoing spat with China over a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea.
Analysts say Moscow is eager to deepen ties with Beijing amid a worsening of relations with the West over Russia's actions in Ukraine.
