High-level military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing under scrutiny amid Ukraine war concerns
Russia approved covert military training for Chinese-led instruction of Russian forces at the highest levels of government, according to documents and European officials cited in a media investigation. The revelations point to deepening defence cooperation between the two countries amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising geopolitical tensions with the West.
Top-level approval and senior military involvement
According to classified Russian documents and two European officials familiar with the matter, the programme was authorised by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov in August 2025.
The training reportedly involved at least four senior Russian and Chinese generals, highlighting what Western officials describe as unusually high-level engagement for a covert military exchange programme.
The officials said the level of participation underscores the strategic importance both Moscow and Beijing attach to expanding military collaboration, despite China’s repeated claims of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.
Training conducted in China
The documents indicate that Russian military personnel travelled to People’s Liberation Army (PLA) facilities in China for specialised instruction.
One of the key training modules, held in November, reportedly focused on radiological, chemical, and biological (RCB) defence, including:
- Chemical reconnaissance techniques
- Radiation detection and monitoring
- Protection of military ventilation systems from contamination
- Nuclear facility hazard awareness
Images reviewed by investigators reportedly showed Russian troops receiving classroom instruction and engaging with simulation equipment under Chinese military supervision.
Strategic implications for the Ukraine war
European officials cited in the report said the training is directly linked to Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine, suggesting knowledge transfer in sensitive defensive warfare domains.
While China maintains it is not a party to the conflict, Western intelligence assessments increasingly point to deeper indirect involvement through military cooperation, technology exchange, and dual-use support.
The reported programme included around 200 Russian troops, some of whom were later deployed in combat zones in Ukraine, according to earlier intelligence assessments referenced by Reuters.
Russia–China defence alignment intensifies
The revelations come amid a broader expansion of Russia–China strategic ties, including joint military exercises and defence-industrial cooperation.
Internal Russian assessments reportedly praised aspects of China’s training infrastructure, particularly its simulation capabilities and technical instruction. However, they also noted China’s limited real-world combat experience compared to Russia’s battlefield exposure in Ukraine.
Beijing denies allegations
China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the claims, stating that its position on the Ukraine war remains “consistent” and that all allegations of covert military support are “entirely unfounded.”
Beijing has repeatedly described itself as a neutral party and peace mediator, despite growing Western concerns about its strategic alignment with Moscow.
Western response and diplomatic concern
The European Union is now reportedly reassessing its broader relationship with China in light of the findings, particularly regarding military and dual-use cooperation.
Officials warn that the deepening Russia–China defence relationship could alter global security balances and complicate efforts to isolate Moscow through sanctions.
Some EU policymakers argue that China can no longer be viewed solely through an economic partnership lens, but must also be assessed as a “decisive enabler” in Russia’s war capability.
Kremlin reaction
Russian officials have dismissed earlier reporting on the matter as false, maintaining that military cooperation with China is transparent and part of routine bilateral defence engagement.
However, the latest documents reviewed by Reuters suggest a more structured and sensitive programme than previously acknowledged.
Outlook
The revelations add new pressure on already strained relations between China and Western powers, while signalling an increasingly complex strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing.
As the Ukraine war continues, analysts say further scrutiny is likely on how far defence cooperation between the two nuclear powers may extend.
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