Russian and Chinese warships carried out joint exercises to repel a simulated drone and air attack in the Sea of Japan.

Footage from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on September 16 reportedly shows the Russian and Chinese warships carrying out drills and opening fire on mock enemy targets.

The Russian MoD said in a statement: 'In the Sea of Japan, warships of the Russian Pacific Fleet and the Navy of the People's Liberation Army of China, acting as part of a joint task force, carried out complex tasks involving live-fire missile and artillery drills as part of the 'Ocean-2024' strategic command and staff exercises (SCSE).

'On the Russian side, more than 15 warships participated in this phase of the exercise, including the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, the Guards Order of Nakhimov missile cruiser Varyag, the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleev, the corvettes Sovershenny, Rezky, and Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov, as well as two diesel submarines.

'Over 10 aircraft and helicopters from the Pacific Fleet's naval aviation and the Russian Aerospace Forces supported the naval operations.

'From the Chinese side, the destroyers Xining and Wuxi, along with the frigate Lin Yi, participated.

'During the practical operations of the joint Russian-Chinese naval group, the threat of an attack by unmanned boats and FPV drones from a simulated enemy was neutralized.

'To achieve this, Ka-29 assault helicopters, Grachonok-class anti-sabotage boats, and shipboard electronic warfare units were deployed.

'The task force's mine countermeasure protection was provided by modern Anatoly Shlemov and Yakov Balyaev naval minehunters.

'The Tu-142 and Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft from naval aviation provided long-range anti-submarine protection, while Ka-27PL deck helicopters practised submarine detection using towed sonar systems.

'Depth charges were deployed against a simulated enemy submarine, dropped by anti-submarine aircraft, alongside the use of RBU-6000 rocket depth charges.

'As part of the exercise, the joint task force repelled an air raid by the simulated enemy.

'Shipboard artillery and the Kinzhal air defence missile system on the Admiral Panteleev were employed to target aerial threats.

'During a simulated naval battle with an enemy task group, the crew of the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate successfully launched a cruise missile from the Uran missile system.

'The warships also conducted artillery fire against sea targets, simulating an enemy ship group.

'In addition, the joint task force practised tactical manoeuvring and communication drills.

'The actions of the Russian and Chinese crews at sea were observed by 24 representatives from 10 countries from aboard the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate.

'According to the training plan of the Russian Armed Forces, naval units are participating in the strategic command-staff exercise 'Ocean-2024', which will continue until September 16.

'The exercise is being held in a bilateral format under the overall command of Admiral Alexander Moiseev, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, and is one of the key operational and combat training activities of the Russian Armed Forces in 2024.

'The manoeuvres, taking place in the waters of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Seas, involve more than 400 warships, submarines, and support vessels, over 120 aircraft and helicopters from naval aviation and the Aerospace Forces, around 7,000 pieces of military and special equipment, and over 90,000 personnel.

'The main objectives of the 'Ocean-2024' exercise are to assess the readiness of the command staff of Russian Navy units to manage diverse force groupings within their areas of responsibility, solve unconventional operational tasks, comprehensively utilise precision weapons, advanced and modern weaponry, and military equipment during the practical phase of the exercise, as well as to enhance cooperation with partner nations' navies in joint maritime operations.'

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, in what the Kremlin is still calling a 'special military operation'.

The conflict is still ongoing with public support from Europe and the United States fading and businesses reopening their ties with Russia.

Deserters have fled both countries for safer climbs in Europe and Asia.