- A Russian military blogger suggested using Kh-31A missiles to sink China’s new Type 076 amphibious assault ship during its sea trials near Shanghai.
- Chinese OSINT communities identified the Russian sailors who photographed the vessel and called for official action.
A Russian military blogger affiliated with the Russian Aerospace Forces has triggered a wave of criticism in China after publicly suggesting the use of Kh-31A anti-ship missiles to sink China’s newest and largest amphibious assault ship, the Type 076 Sichuan.
The remarks were posted on Telegram by Ilya Tumanov, a well-known Russian blogger writing under the pseudonym “Fighterbomber,” who is widely believed to be an active-duty officer in the Russian Air Force.
In a post dated 1st December, Tumanov shared a photo of the Sichuan during sea trials near Shanghai, reportedly taken by Russian sailors, and wrote: “Subscribers at sea caught sight of the Universal Amphibious Assault Ship Type 076 ‘Sichuan’ undergoing sea trials near Shanghai. I wonder how many Kh-31As would be needed to sink it.”
The post was quickly amplified across Chinese open-source intelligence (OSINT) channels, with online commentators identifying the sailors believed to have taken the photo. Some users threatened to publish personal details of those involved as a form of “internet retaliation.” Others called for the Russian Ministry of War to issue a formal apology.
The post was perceived by many on the Chinese platform Weibo as a hostile gesture toward a key defense partner. Some users demanded Tumanov be banned from entering China, along with the sailors who photographed the warship during its restricted trials.
According to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the Sichuan is the lead ship in the new Type 076 class of amphibious assault ships. It displaces approximately 40,000 tons at full combat load, features a full-length flight deck, and includes multiple elevators to support aircraft launch and recovery.
The vessel is designed to operate rotary-wing platforms and fixed-wing drones. It is expected to be the first carrier platform in the world equipped with an electromagnetic catapult specifically configured for unmanned systems. The ship is also being configured to launch manned fighters, including next-generation stealth aircraft such as the Shenyang J-35.
Chinese defense media have reported that the Sichuan is scheduled to enter full operational service by the end of 2026, where it will serve as a multi-role force projection asset for the PLAN.
The episode has drawn attention to the fragility of military-to-military optics between Moscow and Beijing, two nations that officially maintain close strategic ties. While Tumanov’s post may not reflect official Russian policy, its publication by a military-linked figure was viewed as unacceptable by a wide cross-section of Chinese military observers.