Pacific Fleet joint patrol returns to Vladivostok after broader sea freedom exercise
A detachment from the Pacific Fleet arrived in Vladivostok and was welcomed with formal ceremonies following a joint patrol conducted with the People’s Liberation Army Navy in the western Pacific region. The event was reported by the fleet’s official Telegram channel.
The press service of the Pacific Fleet identified the visiting ships as the large anti-submarine vessels Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleev, accompanied by the corvette Aldar Tsydenzhapov, named Hero of the Russian Federation for its service. The trio formed the core of the detachment returning home.
Officials stated that the Russian-Chinese patrol exceeded three weeks in duration. During this period the ships covered more than 6,500 nautical miles along routes that included the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea, and wider areas of the Pacific Ocean. The patrol route passed along the Kuril Ridge and rounded portions of the Aleutian archipelago, illustrating a broad presence in northern Pacific waters.
Earlier in April, eight Tu-22M3 long-range bombers conducted patrols over the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk as part of a broader readiness check for the Pacific Fleet. These operations highlighted ongoing exercises designed to maintain and verify combat effectiveness across maritime and aerial strands of Russia’s far eastern forces.
During a briefing, the defense minister outlined that the core aim of these measures is to strengthen the Armed Forces’ ability to counter potential aggression along oceanic and sea-based theaters. The emphasis remains on readiness, deterrence, and the capacity to protect strategic maritime regions should the situation require decisive action. This approach underscores the leadership’s focus on sustaining credible defense posture in key corridors of the northern Pacific region.
Statements from the leadership expressed views on the future trajectory of the armed forces and their evolving role in ensuring national security across sea lanes and distant frontiers. The discussions align with a broader narrative of modernizing maritime capabilities and reinforcing strategic partnerships within the region.