Building on a “no limits” pact their presidents signed this year, the Russian and Chinese militaries will drill side-by-side starting later this month in the Russian Far East, according to China’s Ministry of Defense. The exercises will mark their second joint show of force in the region this year after bombers from each country in May conducted a 13-hour drill close enough to Japan and South Korea that those nations scrambled jet fighters, as President Biden was visiting Tokyo…

Last month, the Russian ministry said units of its Eastern Military District, in the nation’s Far East near the borders of China and North Korea, as well as airborne, long range aviation and military transport aviation personnel and equipment, would participate in training maneuvers along with military contingents from other states it didn’t name. Reports, including China’s Defense Ministry statement, said India, Belarus, Tajikistan, Mongolia and other nations would join. Russia hasn’t confirmed the participants…

A Russia specialist at Georgetown University, Angela Stent, said the exercises are likely to be scrutinized for signs of Russia’s fighting capability considering its troubles prosecuting the Ukraine war. “The message will be, we have been criticized and sanctioned by the West but we have a range of other countries that are partners. We are not isolated,” she said, noting that position will be enhanced by the participation of both China and India.