Russia and China are undertaking a large-scale joint military drill in north-central China, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday. The drill involves over 10,000 troops, Reuters reports.
In Ningxia, China, observers are looking for evidence that China and Russia are increasing their military collaboration as they battle with the West.
It was reported in Russia’s Kommersant daily that Russian forces were using Chinese weaponry for the first time in these maneuvers, which run till Friday. Since 2005, Russia and China have carried out multiple joint military exercises.
For the counter-terrorism drill, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed it dispatched Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter planes, motorized rifle troops, and air defense equipment.
In Afghanistan, where security has worsened as the United States pulls out its troops after some twenty years of conflict, the training comes at a time when the Taliban has gained strength, generating security concerns for Moscow.
Additionally, Russia performed joint exercises with Uzbek and Tajik soldiers near the Afghan border in Tajikistan on Tuesday. Putin said that its military facility in Tajikistan was being upgraded with assault rifles and other weaponry.
In 2014, after the annexation of Crimea by Ukraine, Moscow’s political ties with the West fell to post-Cold War lows. China is Russia’s most important trading partner, according to the World Bank.
