The submarine is capable of firing Kalibr cruise missiles that have seen extensive use in strikes against Ukraine.

The 243-foot-long vessel is armed with a missile system that has a range of 7,450 miles, according to Russia's state-run TASS news agency.

New laws specifying Manila's claims have also angered smaller countries such as Malaysia, which could hamper unified resistance to China's attempts at regional dominance.The latest confrontation between Philippine and Chinese vessels in disputed waters on the South China Sea took place on Wednesday,

Tensions between Russia and the Philippines escalated as the Philippine military deployed a navy ship and air force planes to shadow a Russian submarine in the South China Sea last week, security officials said.

The Philippines said it spotted a Russian submarine in the South China Sea last week, in the latest sign of tensions in the contested waters.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday the presence of a Russian attack submarine in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea was "very worrisome". A Russian Kilo-class submarine was sighted 80 nautical miles off the western province of Occidental Mindoro on Nov.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Monday described as "very worrisome" the presence of a Russian attack submarine off the country's coast in the disputed South China Sea.

A Russian submarine was detected in the South China Sea, raising concerns in the Philippines as military tensions escalate in the region.