Russia and China caught in ‘highly provocative’ stunt with drills off Alaska coast

Navy sailors arrested for selling military secrets to China Russia and China conducted a “highly provocative” joint military exercise off the coast of Alaska this week as tensions between the two countries and the US continue to rocket. Eleven ships from Russia and China neared the Aleutian Islands earlier last week and approached the maritime border Moscow shares with the United States. Their arrival forced the US Navy to scramble four destroyers and P-8 Poseidon aircraft that tailed the foreign ships until they moved further away from the boundary. A spokesperson for the US Northern Command said the two nations, with whom the US has had an increasingly difficult relationship in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and persistent hostility towards its allies in the Indo-Pacific, carried out a naval patrol off near the Alaskan coast. They said in a statement: “Air and maritime assets under our commands conducted operations to assure the defence of the United States and Canada. “The patrol remained in international waters and was not considered a threat.’ READ MORE: Devastating earthquake ravages dozens of home and leaves at least 21 injured The US Navy sent four warships to trail the foreign vessels Heritage Foundation expert Brent Sadler said the military exercise was a “historical first” and was particularly provocative given the current geopolitical situation. Sadler told The New York Post: “Given the context of the war in Ukraine and tensions around Taiwan, this move is highly provocative.’ The incident was immediately condemned as further evidence of increasingly concerning conduct by both Russia and China, and the need for the US to be on high alert. Senator Dan Sullivan said: “The incursion by 11 Chinese and Russian warships operating together – off the coast of Alaska – is yet another reminder that we have entered a new era of authoritarian aggression led by the dictators in Beijing and Moscow. “In recognition of this reality and our state’s unrivalled strategic location, for years, I’ve been pressing the Navy and each successive administration to commit to a greater Naval, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps presence in Alaska, more Arctic-capable vessels, and more infrastructure to host these assets, like the deep-water port of Nome.” The boats approached Alaska near the Aleutian Islands SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info He noted Moscow and Beijing conducted a similarly intimidating stunt in the same area that was met with what he dismissed as a “tepid” pushback. The Republican junior senator for Alaska insisted the US military should focus on a “more robust response” in future to dissuade both Russia and China from coming too close to American territory. He continued: “Last summer the Chinese and Russian navies conducted a similar operation off the coast of Alaska. “Given that our response was tepid, I strongly encouraged senior military leaders to be ready with a much more robust response should such another joint Chinese/Russian naval operation occur off our coast. “For that reason, I was heartened to see that this latest incursion was met with four US Navy destroyers, which sends a strong message to Xi Jinping and Putin that the United States will not hesitate to protect and defend our vital national interests in Alaska.” Trending Russia and China have grown closer since the Ukrainian invasion