Russian Air Force soldiers pass the grandstand at the opening ceremony of a China-Russia large-scale strategic military exercise on August 9, 2021 in China�s Ningxia region. (Photo by Xinhua)

Russia and China are taking part in massive joint military drills in China�s north-central region of Ningxia, in what is widely viewed as the two superpowers� intention to boost their operational capabilities vis-a-vis the United States.

Russia�s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that more than 10,000 troops are involved in the Sibu/Cooperation-2021 drills, which will last through Friday.

The ministry further said that Moscow has deployed Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter aircraft, motorized rifle units and air defense systems in the exercises.

According to Russia�s Kommersant newspaper, the exercises mark the first time Russian soldiers would use Chinese weapons since the two countries began conducting drills in 2005.

The expanded military cooperation between the two countries comes amid tensions with the United States and some Western countries.

The war games have stoked concerns among Western analysts that China and Russia are developing joint operational capabilities.

This is the first time the Chinese are really delving in, letting the Russians participate in one of their own exercises, said Roderick Lee, research director at the China Aerospace Studies Institute at Air University, backed by the US air and space forces.

The dedicated bilateral drills they often do are aimed at developing the relationship rather than actual war-fighting capabilities, he added, according to Financial Times.

Meanwhile, Mikhail Barabanov, senior research fellow at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, a Moscow-based defense think-tank, described Russia�s decision to participate in the drills as undoubtedly a step towards deepening interaction and military cooperation.

It seems like this co-operation will deepen sooner than expected, involving all the new strategies of both parties, he was quoted by FT as saying.

The military exercises also come as the Taliban have been making territorial gains in Afghanistan as US-led foreign forces complete a withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The United States, along with its NATO allies, invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. The invasion, which has led to the longest war in US history, removed the Taliban from power, but it worsened the security situation in the country.