Key facts
- China provided covert military training to Russian forces last year, personally approved by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov.
- The training involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals and included sessions on radiological, biological, and chemical warfare protection.
- Documents and European officials indicate the training took place at PLA facilities, with Russian soldiers receiving instruction from Chinese instructors.
- Beijing has denied the allegations, calling them unfounded and smears, while the EU is assessing implications and potential responses.
- Russian officials have also denied the reports, with one lawmaker calling them 'complete nonsense'.
China's covert military training of Russian forces last year received personal approval from Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals, according to two European officials and documents reviewed by Reuters. The high-ranking involvement underscores the strategic importance of this cooperation for both nations, raising alarms in Europe despite Beijing's denials.
A classified Russian document details an August decree by Belousov authorizing a Russian armed forces delegation to train at People's Liberation Army (PLA) facilities. One specific three-week course in November focused on radiological, chemical, and biological protection, where Russian soldiers were reportedly lectured by Chinese instructors on contamination defense and reconnaissance.
European officials noted the sensitivity of such training, particularly concerning chemical and biological warfare. China's foreign ministry has consistently denied the allegations, calling them unfounded and smears, and maintains its neutral stance on the Ukraine war. However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed the training through her own channels, prompting discussions within the bloc about potential responses.
European powers, viewing Russia as a primary security threat, are closely monitoring the deepening ties between Moscow and Beijing. While the EU has already sanctioned Chinese companies supporting Russia's war effort, there is internal debate about whether further measures are necessary, balancing trade priorities with security concerns. Some officials argue that China's role as a "decisive enabler of Russia's war" necessitates a shift away from viewing the relationship solely through an economic lens.
Russian officials have largely dismissed the reports. Lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov stated the training was "complete nonsense," asserting Russia has little to learn from China militarily, given Russia's extensive combat experience in Ukraine compared to China's decades without direct warfare. Internal Russian military reports, however, acknowledged the instructors' theoretical knowledge and equipment standards while noting China's lack of combat experience.