Coastal phase of Russian-Chinese Joint Sea 2026 exercise starts in Qingdao

Military drillsCoastal phase of Russian-Chinese Joint Sea 2026 exercise starts in Qingdao Cultural and sporting events were also held, including several friendly basketball matches, the last of which featured Russian and Chinese sailors participating as part of combined international teamsMOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Representatives of the Russian Navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy of China have shared experience during the coastal phase of the Joint Sea 2026 exercise in the port of Qingdao, the Russian Pacific Fleet’s press service reported. "The shore-based phase of the Russian-Chinese naval exercise Joint Sea 2026 was held in the port of Qingdao, People's Republic of China. Ship commanders and staff officers used maps to plan the naval phase of the exercise, and the crews shared their experience. Chinese sailors were introduced to the Guards missile cruiser Varyag, learning about its history and the capabilities of its strike weapons," the press service reported. Cultural and sporting events were also held, including several friendly basketball matches, the last of which featured Russian and Chinese sailors participating as part of combined international teams. The naval exercise Joint Sea 2026 began on July 6. On Wednesday, a detachment of Pacific Fleet ships arrived at the port of Qingdao, consisting of the Pacific Fleet’s Guards cruiser Varyag, the corvette Rezky, the diesel-electric submarine Ufa, and the rescue vessel Igor Belousov. The Chinese Navy is represented by the destroyers Anshan and Kaifeng, the frigate Wuhu, a Yuan-class diesel-electric submarine, the comprehensive replenishment ship Kekexilihu, and the rescue vessel Yangchenghu. The traditional Russian-Chinese exercise Joint Sea 2026 will be held in the Yellow Sea. Sailors from the Russian Navy and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, supported by naval aviation, will improve their skills in joint rescue operations, practice anti-submarine warfare and air defense, and conduct joint gun practice. One stage of the drills will include training to rescue the crew of a simulated distressed submarine, using a deep-submergence rescue vehicle. TagsChinaMilitary drillsRussia's defense industryRussia develops Skat amphibious drone for underwater logistics"The Skat platform is remotely controlled and designed for underwater, surface, and land use," Executive Director of the Spektr Design Bureau Andrey Bratenkov saidRead moreEurope's worst mistake, Donbass liberation, nuclear escalation: Kremlin commentsPresidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says European countries still believe that they can inflict a strategic defeat on Russia and added that this is "the greatest mistake ever"Read moreGermany, US agree at NATO summit on Berlin's purchase of Tomahawk missiles — MerzAs the German Chancellor noted, the agreement closes "an important strategic gap in the country's defense"Read moreIran to take measures soon to punish US — deputy head of National Security Committee"In the coming days, additional measures of the Iranian policy aimed at punishing the aggressor and the states that supported him will become apparent," Abbas Moghtadaei saidRead moreRussia does utmost to minimize fallout from Ukraine's energy attacks — KremlinDmitry Peskov emphasized that the Kiev regime consistently demonstrates aggressiveness and a penchant for terrorist attacks against global energy facilitiesRead moreIMF expects Strait of Hormuz to open by mid-JulyThe Fund expects geopolitical uncertainty to persist throughout the coming yearRead moreKremlin spokesman comments on Kiev’s terrorist attacks, IOC decision on RussiaUkraine has consistently demonstrated an aggressive attitude and a tendency to carry out terrorist attacks on global energy facilities, Dmitry Peskov notedRead moreUS security guarantees for Kiev could include closing Ukrainian airspace — TrumpAt the same time, the US leader did not rule out that Ukraine may not receive any security guarantees at allRead moreNATO reconnaissance aircraft flying around Kaliningrad Region for second dayOn Tuesday, the aircraft had completed five circles around the Russian region before returning to base in RomaniaRead moreIN BRIEF: Overnight drone attacks on Russia kill civilian, damage tankersOne civilian was killed and several others were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on the Saratov RegionRead moreSouth Korea’s top court sentences former country’s president to seven years in prisonIt is the first verdict of the Supreme Court against Yoon Suk-yeol, who is facing a total of eight trials related to the imposition of martial lawRead moreTrump calls Ukraine's strikes deep into Russia escalation of conflictAccording to the US leader, it is an escalation that could lead to an end to the conflictRead moreFACTBOX: NATO countries' military assistance to UkraineA number of NATO member states began transferring weaponry to Ukraine as early as 2014, when a coup d'etat in Ukraine resulted in a change of powerRead moreLavrov, Niger's president hold talksThe talks were preceded by four-party talks involving the foreign ministers of Niger, Burkina Faso and MaliRead moreIMF upgrades its forecast for contraction of Iran’s economy this year by 0.7 p.p.IMF experts projected the Iranian economy’s contraction by 6.1% in the report released in AprilRead moreUnified drone system to become key driver of Russian economic growth — expertAviation Project Director at GLONASS Sergey Kukarev noted that the system is already starting to work in logisticsRead moreCivilian killed in Ukrainian attack on Crimea, regional leader saysSergey Aksyonov extended his condolences to the victim’s family and said the regional authorities would provide them with the necessary assistanceRead moreMalyutka interceptor drone with automatic target acquisition unveiled at Kazan expoThe Malyutka has a range of up to 12 km and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 250 km/hRead moreSerbia not to impose visas for Russians — ministerRussian citizens "are the most welcome guests in our country," Nenad Popovic saidRead moreRussia’s massive strikes have pushed Ukraine back months in UAV production — expertDmitry Kuzyakin noted that production capacity in Ukraine remained considerableRead moreKhamenei's coffin arrives in Iraq's holy Shiite city of KarbalaEyewitnesses report that millions participated in the funeral processionRead moreLavrov arrives in Mozambique as part of his African tourRussian Foreign Minister ’s previous visit to Mozambique took place in May 2023Read moreIran cannot ignore US presence near its borders under Trump Route — ambassadorKhalil Shirgolami drew attention to the methods used by the United States, citing Washington's violation of ceasefire agreements with Iran as an exampleRead moreIN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on Krasnodarskaya compressor stationThe attack was aimed at disrupting the uninterrupted flow of Russian gas to Turkey, but prompt measures prevented any supply interruptions, the company saidRead moreTrump believes meeting between Putin, Zelensky to take place ‘very soon’Earlier in July, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a Putin-Zelensky meeting could be arranged in Moscow any timeRead moreFuneral of Iranian leader Khamenei in Mashhad postponed due to ceremonies in Iraq"Due to the mass and solemn farewell ceremonies for the late Leader Ali Khamenei that took place in the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, the arrival of Khamenei's coffin in Mashhad has been postponed," the funeral committee saidRead moreKiev’s refusal to take back soldiers’ bodies unprecedented in history — Russian diplomatMaria Zakharova emphasized that "it has always been considered mandatory to retrieve the bodies of one’s fallen warriors from a battlefield in any wayRead moreUkrainian troops abandon weapons, ammunition made in Poland, France, Italy in VasilyevkaCommander Mikhail Knyazkin says "a huge amount" of weapons and ammunition was left behindRead moreUAC delivers Su-30SM2, Su-34 fighter jets to Russian Defense Ministry — RostecThe aircraft have completed the entire cycle of required ground and flight factory tests and have departed for their duty stationsRead moreStrait of Hormuz ship traffic hits near-standstill amid US strikes — BloombergAccording to the report, vessel traffic is seen only in the northern part of the strait off the Iranian coast along the so-called northern corridor, a shipping route approved by TehranRead moreRussia as threat, support for Ukraine, US strikes on Iran: NATO chief’s statementsMark Rutte called the recent US strikes against Iran "absolutely necessary"Read moreLavrov extends Putin’s invitation to Sahel leaders to attend Russia-Africa summitThe third Russia-Africa summit will take place in Moscow in OctoberRead moreNATO leaders fail to acknowledge role in fueling nuclear tensions with Russia — ICANAccording to ICAN Executive Director Melissa Parke, "NATO outspends Russia 10 times on nuclear weapons and yet still feels threatened by Moscow"Read moreSpecial military operation decision forced, as EU, US did not listen to Russia — Kremlin"As soon as you understand that no one would listen to you, you take firm steps," the Russian Presidential spokesman stressedRead moreSerbia will never agree to relinquish Kosovo — ministerNenad Popovic noted that Belgrade feels Russia’s constant support on international platformsRead morePress review: US, Europe may clash over Ukraine as China missile alarms Pacific regionTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 7thRead morePress review: Trump-Putin call as Russian troops advance while US-Russia OPCW talks failTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, July 6thRead moreRussian government extends temporary diesel export ban to producersThe decision was made to maintain a stable situation in the domestic fuel marketRead moreSerbia thankful to Russia for reliable gas supplies — ministerIt is important especially today, "when the global market is facing constant changes, structural and price-related," Nenad Popovic saidRead moreOil base reservoir in Tver Region catches fire after Ukraine’s drone attackThe fire has been localized, no casualties were reported, Vitaly Korolev saidRead morePatriot license transfer to Kiev aimed at securing US firms in Ukraine — expertAlexander Stepanov added that the technology transfer implies setting up costly production linesRead moreTrumps says US will deliver 20 strikes on Iran in response of each of its attacks"They hit actually three boats, not two, and when they hit, we hit back much harder," the president saidRead moreIN BRIEF: FSB foils major series of terrorist attacks targeting Russian service membersAs a result of operations conducted by law enforcement officers, a terrorist accomplice, a Russian female citizen, was detainedRead moreUS, Israel act contrary to common sense in their dealings with Iran — expertVladimir Orlov pointed out that the Americans are attempting to present a misleading narrative, claiming that the nuclear issue has been resolved, which he considers wishful thinkingRead moreRussian forces advancing simultaneously in two areas in DPR — expertAndrey Marochko added that Russian troops are also advancing southwest of Kutuzovka along the Byk RiverRead moreDurov questioned in Paris for six hours — agency"Nearly two years after the criminal case against Pavel Durov was opened, there is still no evidence to support the charges," AFP cited his lawyersRead moreRussia bans diesel exports to boost domestic market supplies — NovakThe decision will not affect supplies under intergovernmental agreementsRead moreHungary’s president rejects constitutional amendment allowing his removal from officeTamas Sulyok believes the document violates the principles of the rule of law, democracy, and separation of powersRead moreUS may ask Turkey to disable Russia’s S-400 in exchange for F-35s — portalThe Trump administration has not yet made a final decision on how Washington will sell F-35 fighters to TurkeyRead moreFinland paying for Stubb's belligerent policies with economic collapse — DmitrievIn May, unemployment rose to 12.7%, the highest since May 1998 and the highest in the EURead moreLavrov says Russia agreed to US proposals at Alaska summitThe Russian top diplomat said that any other interpretations were irrelevantRead moreNew wave of US strikes, Iran's response: situation in Middle EastUS President Donald Trump called the new wave of strikes on Iran retaliation for alleged attacks on vesselsRead moreDisappointment with NATO, refusal to negotiate with Iran: Trump’s key statementsThe US president said that he has no intention of negotiating with Iran and also insulted the country’s leadershipRead moreUkrainian drone strike on Krasnodar-Melitopol passenger bus: what we knowNo one was injured, and everyone on board managed to evacuate safelyRead moreRussian stock market closes up on major indicesThe ruble-denominated MOEX Index increased by 1.39%, the dollar-denominated RTS Index gained 1.02%Read moreRussian stock market drops at start of tradingAs of 10:00 a.m. Moscow time, the MOEX and RTS indices shed 0.81% at the open of the main trading session to 2,202.73 and 908.22 points, respectivelyRead moreAnother reconnaissance aircraft flew near Kaliningrad RegionThe aircraft in question is a Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint, operated by the British Air ForceRead moreRussia to begin importing petroleum products in July — Deputy PM NovakThe official noted that the government is taking measures to stabilize the situationRead moreUkraine to receive 32 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden — PMAccording to Ulf Kristersson, continued support for Ukraine is Sweden’s top priorityRead moreAir defenses destroy 111 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within 12-hour periodIn particular, drones were shot down over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Oryol, Tula, Kaluga, Moscow, Krasnodar Regions, the Republic of Crimea, the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Republic of TatarstanRead moreRussian wheat exports up almost 14% to 48 mln tons in 2025/2026 agricultural seasonRussia increased wheat supplies to all top five importers despite a sharp rise in global market competitionRead moreUkraine moves past Trump’s peace plan — NYPEuropean officials called on Trump to view Ukraine as a "strategic asset rather than a liability," the newspaper wroteRead moreDeath toll from earthquake in Venezuela up to 3,811According to President of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic Jorge Rodríguez, 16,740 people were injuredRead moreSova-55 aircraft-type reconnaissance UAV unveiled at Kazan exhibitionThe Sova is used primarily for reconnaissance and its secondary purpose is to carry FPV attack drones and repeatersRead moreRussia fields world’s largest air defense system — Defense MinistryOn July 8, the Russian Armed Forces celebrate Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops Day of the Aerospace ForcesRead moreUS completes another wave of strikes against Iran — CENTCOM"U.S. forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline," the US Central Command saidRead moreTanker traffic through Strait of Hormuz has virtually stopped — RystadAccording to head of geopolitical analysis at the consulting firm Jorge Leon, the real test comes after 9 July, once the mourning period for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei endsRead moreTrump says doesn’t know if full-scale conflict with Iran could be resumedThe president added that in such a case the United States will "win it very quickly"Read moreAfrica undergoes 'second awakening,' Lavrov saysRussian Foreign Minister pointed out that in 1960, the United Nations adopted the declaration on decolonization, and the bulk of African countries gained political independenceRead moreWorld’s governing volleyball body FIVB lifts sanctions against Russia — statementThe Russian national teams will be restored to the World Ranking with the same World Ranking points as they had at the time that their points were frozen by the decision of the FIVB Board of AdministrationRead moreEuroclear asks appellate court to halt enforcement of Bank of Russia’s claimThe court previously accepted the depository's appeal and scheduled the hearing for July 16Read moreKiev needs to hold Slavyansk, Kramatorsk during NATO summit — expertAndrey Marochko says Vladimir Zelensky needs to show the West that the Ukrainian army is "doing fine and stable"Read moreMore than 160,000 foreigners show interest in Russian educationRossotrudnichestvo Deputy Head Pavel Shevtsov said the figure compares favorably with global benchmarksRead moreRussia’s Scorpion bomber drone covers record 35 km with TM-62 mineThis is currently the only drone in Russia that is fully integrated with the TM-62 mineRead moreUse of Krasnopol shells cuts ammunition consumption — RostecThe use of these guided munitions transforms self-propelled artillery systems and towed howitzers from area suppression weapons into precision weapons for the elimination of enemy targetsRead moreNATO changes mandate of Baltic Air Policing Mission to combat missionThe new military format will enable alliance fighters to participate directly in combat operationsRead moreSupport of Kiev by Europe and US direct participation in war against Russia — KremlinDmitry Peskov emphasized that because of this, the conflict has ceased to be a special military operationRead moreUkraine sought to disrupt Russian gas supplies with Blue Stream attack — lawmakerAccording to Sergey Altukhov, Ukraine continues to escalate the conflict by targeting civilian infrastructureRead moreTrump says Russia and Ukraine know what US peace proposals areThe US leader expressed opinion that the peoples of Russia and Ukraine would later be able to establish normal relationsRead moreKey statements from President Putin's meeting with Cabinet on fuel situationThe president noted that Russia's current fuel difficulties are temporary, adding that the country's energy sector possesses a high margin of safetyRead moreFuel situation partially stabilized, but remains challenging — NovakEarlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the government jointly with oil companies, had prepared additional proposals to supply the domestic fuel marketRead moreTrump makes no specific commitments on Ukraine behind closed doors at NATO summitAccording to the news outlet, the US leader is focused on IranRead morePress review: NATO summit sets Ukraine support as EU resists sanctions critics in EU blocTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 8thRead moreRussia as long-term threat and obligations to Ukraine: NATO summit declarationIn the final declaration, the NATO countries declared their commitment to Article 5 on collective defenseRead moreIsrael notified by US about plans to attack Iran — mediaUS President Donald Trump said earlier that the ceasefire with Iran was no longer in effectRead moreRussian human rights commissioner speaks on prisoner swap plans, return of Kursk civiliansInternational organizations have begun to acknowledge evidence of Kiev’s crimes against civilians, Yana Lantratova saidRead moreLockheed Martin to create Patriot complex maintenance facility in Europe — TrumpThe president said that US firms had clinched $3 billion of defense contracts at NATO summitRead moreUS deploys some 20 warships, auxiliary vessels in Arabian Sea — TVAccording to Fox News, the group includes the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush strike groups, and the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with a total of around 20,000 seamen and marinersRead moreRussian troops strike Ukrainian army’s logistics centers, transport sites in past dayThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,450 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreIran-US memorandum not built on trust from start — Iranian embassy in MoscowThe Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US was built on a clear mechanism of 'commitment in exchange for commitment'Read moreSerbia facing pressure due to refusal to impose sanctions against Russia — ministerThe Serbs and Russians are the two closest peoples in the world, which is why people in Serbia know that these sanctions are unjust, Nenad Popovic notedRead moreInternational Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation acknowledges IOC’s decision on ROCThe IBSF is expected to consider the possibility of bringing Russian athletes back for the federation’s licensed tournament in the first half of SeptemberRead moreJune 2026 in Western Europe temperatures break record as hottest in history — CopernicusAccording to Samantha Burgess, strategic lead at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, "June 2026 underscored how profoundly the climate is changing"Read moreTrump tells NATO allies he wants to keep US in alliance — ReutersAccording to the source, at a closed-door meeting Donald Trump said the United States is ready to continue selling weapons to its allies, regardless of how they will be usedRead moreIRGC announces strikes on 85 US military facilities in Bahrain and KuwaitAccording to the statement, the targets were located in Salman Port, the US 5th Fleet area in Bahrain, and Ali Al Salem Air Base in KuwaitRead moreTrump says US received share of Ukrainian land through mineral dealDiscussing the possibility of Ukraine's reconstruction, the US leader expressed confidence that the country had "tremendous potential"Read moreOver 4 mln people attend farewell ceremony for slain Iranian leader Khamenei in KarbalaRepresentatives from various Iraqi provinces, as well as delegations from numerous Arab countries and regional and international organizations that had been unable to attend the farewell ceremony in Iran, traveled to Karbala to pay their respectsRead moreStrait of Hormuz to open only on Iran’s terms, but under US’ threats — parliament speakerAccording to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, threats and breaking promises "are no longer cost-free"Read moreRussia’s Battlegroup North destroys 354 Ukrainian UAVs during past dayThe enemy also lost 42 drone control centers, the battlegroup’s spokesman Alexander Tikhomirov saidRead moreYolka drone effective against new AI-equipped Ukrainian drones — BARS-Bryansk"Bars-Bryansk unit fighters destroyed a Ukrainian fixed-wing drone using the Yolka system, which caught up with and hit its target in just 20 secondsRead more