Secret Russia-China Military Training Revealed, Raising European Concerns
Classified documents and testimonies from two European sources obtained by Reuters reveal that China conducted a secret military training program for Russian forces last year, personally approved by Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov. The training involved direct participation from at least four senior generals from both Russia and China and focused on radiological, chemical, and biological defense. The program took place in August and November 2025 at Chinese military facilities, including a three-week course in Beijing covering protection against radiological, chemical, and biological threats.
Photographs from the training show Russian soldiers receiving lectures from Chinese instructors, examining nuclear reactor models, and learning about chemical and radiation reconnaissance and ventilation system protection. European officials emphasize the strategic nature of this cooperation, especially given the sensitive nature of such warfare domains. Both the Russian and Chinese defense ministries declined to comment, while the Chinese Foreign Ministry denied the allegations, maintaining its neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict.
This revelation follows a previous Reuters report from last month, which cited European intelligence and military documents stating that China trained around 200 Russian soldiers, some of whom have already joined combat in Ukraine. The Kremlin dismissed these claims as Western misinformation. European Union Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas confirmed on June 15 that the EU independently verified the training and is assessing its implications. Beijing rejected Kallas's statement as mere slander.
Within the EU, discussions are ongoing about potential further actions against China, balancing its role as a major trade partner with concerns over its military support to Russia. An EU source urged a shift in perspective, viewing China not just as an economic partner but as a key enabler of Russia's war effort. The training agreement was signed on July 2 by Russian Major-General Rustam Khusainov and Chinese Colonel Sun Dayong.
Russian Defense Committee Chairman Andrey Kartapolov dismissed the report as "complete nonsense," asserting that the Russian military has nothing to learn from China. Internal Russian assessments praised the quality of Chinese equipment and instructors but noted China's lack of combat experience compared to Russia's extensive involvement in Ukraine. The Russian delegation was led by Colonel-General Rostem Muradov, deputy commander of Russian ground forces, while Major-General Li Jinshun, head of the Chinese military academy for radiological, chemical, and biological defense, and Major-General Vitaly Gerasimov also participated in the courses.
