Russia secretly authorised high-level Chinese military training for its troops last year, with the programme approved at the highest levels of government and involving senior commanders from both countries, according to European officials and documents reviewed by Reuters
The classified cooperation was reportedly sanctioned by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov on the authority of President Vladimir Putin’s administration, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing despite China’s public insistence that it remains neutral in the war in Ukraine.
According to the documents, Belousov signed an internal directive in August 2025 authorising a Russian military delegation to travel to China for specialised training at facilities operated by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
One of the programmes, held over three weeks in Beijing in November, focused on radiological, chemical and biological (RCB) defence. Russian personnel received instruction on radiation detection, chemical reconnaissance, contamination control and protection of critical infrastructure, including ventilation systems.
Photographs reviewed by Reuters reportedly show Russian troops attending classroom sessions led by Chinese instructors, examining a model nuclear reactor and participating in practical exercises on nuclear, biological and chemical defence
European officials told Reuters the inclusion of advanced RCB defence training demonstrated the strategic importance both governments attached to the exchanges, particularly given the relevance of such capabilities to the conflict in Ukraine.
Neither Russia’s Defence Ministry nor China’s Defence Ministry responded to requests for comment.
China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations, describing them as “entirely unfounded” and reiterating that Beijing’s position on the Ukraine conflict has remained unchanged. Chinese officials continue to maintain that the country is a neutral party seeking a peaceful resolution to the war.
The latest revelations follow an earlier Reuters report citing European intelligence assessments that approximately 200 Russian military personnel underwent training in China in November before some later joined combat operations in Ukraine.
The Kremlin declined to comment directly on that report, accusing Western media of spreading false information.
The European Union has also acknowledged the reported military cooperation. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Brussels had independently confirmed that the training occurred and was assessing its implications, remarks that Beijing dismissed as baseless accusations.
European governments have increasingly expressed concern over the expanding military relationship between Russia and China, particularly as Moscow continues its war in Ukraine. While the EU has already imposed sanctions on several Chinese companies accused of supporting Russia’s military effort, officials are debating whether additional measures are necessary.
According to the documents, a July 2 agreement establishing the training programme was signed by Russian Major General Rustam Khusainov and Chinese Senior Colonel Sun Dayun.
Russian lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov, who chairs the defence committee in the lower house of parliament, rejected the Reuters report, calling it “complete nonsense” and arguing that Russia’s armed forces had little to learn from China after years of combat experience in Ukraine.
Internal Russian military assessments nevertheless praised the quality of Chinese military equipment, simulators and instructors, while also noting that the PLA lacks recent battlefield experience compared with Russian forces.
The documents also identified several senior officers who participated in the exchanges, including Colonel General Rustam Muradov, deputy commander-in-chief of Russia’s land forces, Chinese Major General Li Jinsun of the PLA’s Military Academy of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence, and Russian Major General Vitaly Gerasimov, who attended a separate course in Bengbu.
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