The navies of Russia and China are conducting joint artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan, near the Russian port of Vladivostok, as part of the "Maritime Interaction-2025" exercise, Russian officials said on Sunday.

President Trump announced Friday on social media that he ordered two nuclear submarines to move into more strategic positions near Russia. On Monday, Russian officials downplayed the comments and warned about the risk of nuclear rhetoric.

Russia and China are staging mock combat drills and other war games in the Sea of Japan in a sign of strengthening military ties.