As part of joint exercises scheduled, the Russian Pacific Fleet said on Sunday that the Russian and Chinese navies were conducting artillery and counter-submarine drills at sea in Japan.

Two days after U.S. president Donald Trump claimed that he had a plan, the drills take place.

Ordered two nuclear submarines

In response to comments made by the former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, they were to be placed in "the right regions". They were planned well in advance of Trump's actions.

Interfax reported that the Pacific Fleet said Russian and Chinese ships were moving together in a joint group, including a large Russian Anti-Submarine Ship and two Chinese Destroyers.

The report said that diesel-electric subs from both countries, as well as the Chinese submarine rescue vessel were also involved. The manoeuvres were part of the exercises titled "Maritime Interaction-2025", which will end on Tuesday.

Interfax reported that Russian and Chinese sailors will conduct artillery fire, practice anti-submarine air defence missions and improve joint search operations at sea.

Russia and China, who signed a strategic partnership with "no limits" shortly before Russia entered the war in Ukraine in 2020, conduct regular exercises to practice coordination between their armed services and to send a warning to enemies.

Trump said that his Friday submarine order was in response to remarks made by Medvedev, the Russian president, which he described as "highly provocative". Medvedev had spoken about the danger of war between nuclear-armed rivals.

Russia and the United States are the two countries with the largest nuclear arsenals. Rarely does either country discuss the location and deployment of their nuclear submarines.

Trump's remarks came as tensions with Moscow were rising, and he was growing frustrated by the lack of progress in ending the Ukraine War. Mark Trevelyan, Toby Chopra and Mark Trevelyan contributed to the reportage.

(source: Reuters)