Taipei: Two Russian frigates were spotted Tuesday sailing off Taiwan's east coast. According to Taiwan's defence ministry, Taiwanese navy ships and jets were sent to monitor their movements.
The ministry statement also noted that land-based missile systems had been activated.
According to the statement, the two frigates were "sailing from south to north in the waters off our eastern coast" as of 11 p.m. local time (3 p.m. GMT).
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According to Taipei, the Russian warships "departed from... a response zone" off the port city of Suao, which is home to a significant Taiwanese naval base. The warships' distance from Taiwanese shores was not specified.
Taiwan continues to be surrounded by high tensions, with Taipei reporting daily sightings of Chinese ships and aircraft flying near the island. Beijing's 'One China' policy regards Taiwan as a part of its territory.
The Gromkiy and Sovershenny, two Russian corvettes, entered the southern Philippine Sea east of Taiwan on Tuesday, according to the Pacific Fleet of Russia. They were performing tasks as part of a long-distance sea passage.
The two ships travelled through the South China Sea before arriving in the area, it continued.
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The Russian navy confirmed that the ships regularly conducted manoeuvres and exercises along their route, including a simulated naval battle to fend off a missile attack from the sea.
Major drills were conducted earlier this month in the Sea of Japan (also known as the Eastern Sea in the Koreas) and the Sea of Okhotsk by the Russian Pacific Fleet. The exercises, which took place from June 5 to June 20, involved more than 11,000 military personnel, 60 warships and support vessels, 35 naval aircraft, and coastal defence troops.
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According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the forces taking part in the exercises practised tracking submarines, conducted combat training, and worked to organise and support logistics better for naval air defence.