Chinese and Russian warships conduct 'highly provocative' drills near Alaska's ... trends now
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China and Russia launched an unprecedented joint naval drill near US waters earlier this week, sparking a major response from the US navy, officials have said.
Eleven Russian and Chinese ships steamed close to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska in a 'highly provocative' move amid escalating tensions with the US.
It is believed to be the largest such flotilla to have approached American shores.
Four US destroyers and a P-8 Poseidon aircraft were deployed in response to divert the ships away from American territory to avert a serious international incident, officials said.
Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska, a Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told The Wall Street Journal that the patrol was a reminder that the US has entered 'a new era of authoritarian aggression', but praised the strong naval response.
China and Russia launched an unprecedented joint naval drill near US waters earlier this week. US officials warned it was part of a 'dangerous' new era of naval cooperation between the two countries. Pictured above are Russian and Chinese warships holding their first joint patrols in the Pacific during an earlier operation.
The flotilla sailed close to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska before being diverted by the US navy
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have formed a close alliance to counter US partnerships with Japan, South Korea and
