Russia, China hold large-scale joint military drills

XINHUA

Russian Air Force soldiers pass the grandstand at the opening ceremony of a China-Russia large-scale strategic military exercise in northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region on August 9, 2021.

Russia and China are holding a large-scale joint military exercise in north-central China involving more than 10,000 troops, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The Sibu/Cooperation-2021 drills in China's Ningxia Hui region are being watched for signs that China and Russia are expanding military cooperation as they spar with the West, Reuters reported.

Russia’s Kommersant newspaper said the drills taking place until Friday marked the first time Russian soldiers would use Chinese weapons. Russia and China have conducted drills since 2005.

Moscow sent Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter aircraft, motorized rifle units and air defense systems to the exercise that was focused on counter-terrorism, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The drills come as the Taliban has gained ground in Afghanistan where security has deteriorated, creating a security headache for Moscow.

Separately, Russia on Tuesday completed joint drills in Tajikistan with Uzbek and Tajik forces near the Afghan border. Moscow also said it was bulking up its military base in Tajikistan with assault rifles and other weapons.