Russian Submarine Spotted Near Philippines Sparks Concerns Over ‘Increased Cooperation’ With China
A Russian submarine was recently spotted sailing near the Philippines, raising eyebrows and concerns about growing ties between Moscow and Beijing in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
The Russian UFA 490
submarine was seen 80 nautical miles from the Philippine coast last Thursday, according to a post on Facebook by the Armed Forces of
the Philippines. The Philippine Navy dispatched a plane and
ship to monitor the vessel, which reportedly informed Philippine
What are the potential security implications for the Philippines of increased Russian naval activity in the region?
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Anya Ivanova, a leading expert on Russian naval strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Ivanova, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Ivanova:** My pleasure.
**Host:** The recent sighting of the Russian submarine Ufa near Philippine waters has certainly caused a stir. How do you interpret this development?
**Dr. Ivanova:** This is a multifaceted issue with geopolitical implications. While Russia‘s presence in the region isn’t entirely unprecedented, we’re seeing a renewed activity potentially linked to closer ties with China. It’s difficult to definitively say what their objectives are, but it’s clear they’re expanding their reach and demonstrating a willingness to challenge the status quo in the South China Sea.
**Host:** Certainly, a concerning development for many nations, especially the Philippines. Do you believe this signals a formal military alliance between Russia and China in this region?
**Dr. Ivanova:** It’s too early to say definitively if it signifies a formal alliance. However, there’s no doubt that both countries are strategically aligned against the US. They’re increasingly engaging in joint military exercises and intelligence sharing, indicating a deepening partnership. This cooperation is likely to increase tensions in the region, particularly with countries like the Philippines and the US.
**Host:** Do you think this escalating presence will push the Philippines closer to the US?
**Dr. Ivanova:** That’s a possibility. The Philippines has historically strong ties with the US and may feel compelled to strengthen those ties for security reasons in light of this increased Russian-Chinese activity.
**Host:** Do you believe that the average person in the Philippines should be concerned about this development?
