China has sent a submarine to Russian waters for the first time as part of the Joint Sea-2025 naval drills.
According to a statement from China’s Ministry of National Defence, four Chinese vessels—including the Type 052D-class guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi—are taking part in the exercises alongside Russian ships. The Chinese fleet arrived in Vladivostok on August 1 for drills scheduled to run through August 5.
Citing Chinese military sources, Army Recognition reported that the flotilla also includes a Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine, originally built in Russia, and a submarine rescue vessel.
The ministry said the two sides will hold “submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine, air defence and anti-missile operations, and maritime combat.”
Following the drills, the two countries will conduct naval patrols in “relevant waters of the Pacific,” the ministry added.
The drills coincide with Resolute Force Pacific 2025, a U.S.-led operation involving 12,000 troops and 400 aircraft across multiple locations, including Hawaii, Guam, Japan, and international airspace throughout the Pacific.
They also follow President Donald Trump’s order to reposition two American nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions.”
The directive came after Trump warned that Russia must agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine by August 8, or face a new package of economic sanctions.
In response, Moscow’s military leader and former president Dmitry Medvedev posted on social media, calling the threat “a step towards war” and accusing Trump of “playing the ultimatum game with Russia.”
Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… He should remember 2 things:
1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran.
2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) July 28, 2025
“Based on the highly provocative statements of the former president of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that, Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
