Chinese Marines wave Russian flag at "Joint Russian"-Chinese naval drill. No Russians in sight!
Funny that.
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In September 2016 Chinese and Russian naval units carried out an alleged "joint" drill on air defense and anti-submarine in waters off southern China's Guangdong Province.Funny that.
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Details of Russian ships and aircraft acttually involved are scanty. Imagery of Russian vessels and marines may be old and unconnected with any "joint drill".
It can now be revealed Russia provided the aging tugboat Romanov Cellar.*
Russia's Sputnik News 18 September 2016 dutifully reports: "...On [17 September 2016] Chinese and Russian naval forces carried out joint air defense and anti-submarine drills in the South China Sea near Guangdong Province as part of an eight-day naval war game, Joint Sea-2016, the largest naval military exercise ever between the two countries...."
* For those with eagle eyes, for coffin launchers and ship-numbers, you might notice one Russian vessel (which may or may not have been actually present at the "joint" drill). Due to the elderly nature of most Russian ships they are routinely escorted by tugboats in case of breakdown(s).
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Pete