China, Russia conduct live-force, live-fire drills at sea

Russian personnel participating in the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise visit China's guided-missile destroyer Kaifeng on July 8, 2026. Chinese and Russian naval vessels on Thursday started to carry out live-force, live-fire maritime drills in designated areas near the city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. The drills are part of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise, which began on Monday and consists of three phases: force assembly, harbor-based planning and at-sea operations. Before the maritime phase, Chinese and Russian participating personnel held a series of shore-based exchange activities, including visits to each other's naval vessels. (Photo by Wang Yuanfang/Xinhua)

ABOARD DESTROYER KAIFENG, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Russian naval vessels on Thursday started to carry out live-force, live-fire maritime drills in designated areas near the city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

The drills are part of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise, which began on Monday and consists of three phases: force assembly, harbor-based planning and at-sea operations.

According to the exercise plan, the maritime phase includes drills on joint reconnaissance, air defense and anti-missile defense, and coordinated submarine search and rescue operations.

Before the maritime phase, Chinese and Russian participating personnel held a series of shore-based exchange activities, including visits to each other's naval vessels.

A drone photo taken on July 8, 2026 shows Chinese personnel participating in the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise visiting the Russian missile cruiser Varyag. Chinese and Russian naval vessels on Thursday started to carry out live-force, live-fire maritime drills in designated areas near the city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

The drills are part of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise, which began on Monday and consists of three phases: force assembly, harbor-based planning and at-sea operations.

Before the maritime phase, Chinese and Russian participating personnel held a series of shore-based exchange activities, including visits to each other's naval vessels. (Photo by Li Fengxiang/Xinhua)

Chinese and Russian personnel participating in the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise hold a friendly basketball match on July 8, 2026. Chinese and Russian naval vessels on Thursday started to carry out live-force, live-fire maritime drills in designated areas near the city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

The drills are part of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise, which began on Monday and consists of three phases: force assembly, harbor-based planning and at-sea operations.

Before the maritime phase, Chinese and Russian participating personnel held a series of shore-based exchange activities, including visits to each other's naval vessels. (Photo by Wang Yuanfang/Xinhua)

Chinese and Russian personnel participating in the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise attend a seminar on submarine rescue on July 7, 2026. Chinese and Russian naval vessels on Thursday started to carry out live-force, live-fire maritime drills in designated areas near the city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

The drills are part of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise, which began on Monday and consists of three phases: force assembly, harbor-based planning and at-sea operations.

Before the maritime phase, Chinese and Russian participating personnel held a series of shore-based exchange activities, including visits to each other's naval vessels. (Photo by Wang Yuanfang/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 9, 2026 shows Chinese and Russian naval vessels sailing in formation during the maritime phase of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise. Chinese and Russian naval vessels on Thursday started to carry out live-force, live-fire maritime drills in designated areas near the city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

The drills are part of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise, which began on Monday and consists of three phases: force assembly, harbor-based planning and at-sea operations.

Before the maritime phase, Chinese and Russian participating personnel held a series of shore-based exchange activities, including visits to each other's naval vessels. (Xinhua/Li Bingxuan)

This photo taken on July 9, 2026 shows Chinese guided-missile destroyer Kaifeng firing at sea targets during the maritime phase of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise. Chinese and Russian naval vessels on Thursday started to carry out live-force, live-fire maritime drills in designated areas near the city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

The drills are part of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise, which began on Monday and consists of three phases: force assembly, harbor-based planning and at-sea operations.

Before the maritime phase, Chinese and Russian participating personnel held a series of shore-based exchange activities, including visits to each other's naval vessels. (Xinhua/Li Bingxuan)

This photo taken on July 9, 2026 shows Chinese guided-missile destroyer Kaifeng firing at aerial targets during the maritime phase of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise. Chinese and Russian naval vessels on Thursday started to carry out live-force, live-fire maritime drills in designated areas near the city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

The drills are part of the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise, which began on Monday and consists of three phases: force assembly, harbor-based planning and at-sea operations.

Before the maritime phase, Chinese and Russian participating personnel held a series of shore-based exchange activities, including visits to each other's naval vessels. (Xinhua/Li Bingxuan)