Russian and Chinese navies practiced hunting down and destroying an opponent submarine in the Sea of Japan. This was announced by Russia's Defence Ministry on Wednesday. Days earlier, U.S. president Donald Trump had said that he moved two U.S. nuke subs closer towards Russia.

The Russian Pacific Fleet said that the exercise included Chinese Y-8 aircraft, Il-38 planes and helicopter crews.

The defence ministry stated that "as a result effective joint action, the enemy submarine was detected promptly and mock destroyed."

After practicing anti-submarine duties, the crews from the Russian and Chinese vessels thanked each for their successful work.

Trump claimed that his order for a submarine last Friday was in response to remarks made by the former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, which he described as "highly provocative". Medvedev had spoken about the danger of a nuclear war between the two adversaries.

This week, the Kremlin played down Trump's announcement by saying that U.S. subs were already on constant combat duty and warned everyone to be careful when using nuclear rhetoric.

The incident occurred at a sensitive time, as Trump threatened to impose new sanction on Russia and its oil buyers, including India, China and others, unless Vladimir Putin agreed to end the three-and-a half year war in Ukraine by Friday.

The Russian-Chinese drills included the anti-submarine exercises.

Both countries conduct regular military drills to practice coordination between their armed services and to send a warning to potential adversaries.

(source: Reuters)