Russians Covertly Trained by China Return to Fight in Ukraine, Reuters Sources Say
The training covered drones and electronic warfare, and intelligence agencies said some of the roughly 200 Russian troops later fought in Ukraine.
- On Tuesday, three European intelligence agencies reported China's armed forces secretly trained about 200 Russian military personnel late last year, with some returning to combat operations in Ukraine.
- A dual-language agreement signed by senior Russian and Chinese officers in Beijing on July 2, 2025, outlined the covert training, prohibiting media coverage while focusing on drones and electronic warfare.
- Internal reports described training at People's Liberation Army facilities in Shijiazhuang and Zhengzhou, where soldiers practiced using 82mm mortars, electronic warfare rifles, and flight simulators for drone operations.
- Intelligence agencies confirmed the identities of Russian personnel, ranging from junior sergeant to lieutenant colonel, who trained in China and later fought in occupied Crimea and Zaporizhzhia.
- While China maintains an "objective and impartial" stance, this cooperation highlights the "no limits" strategic partnership with Russia; Beijing consistently denies involvement despite Western concerns over technological support to Moscow.
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53 Articles
The military cooperation agreement kept secret by the two powers would violate the principle of non-intervention in the Ukraine war being maintained by Beijing. More information: A NATO fighter shoots down a supposedly diverted Ukrainian drone that entered Estonian airspace
Russians Covertly Trained By China Return To Fight In Ukraine: Reports
A second report described air defence training at a military facility, including with electronic warfare rifles, net-throwing devices and drones to counter incoming drones. Two officials said the facility was located in Zhengzhou.
Reports from the European Secrets confirm that China secretly trained about 200 Russian military personnel in advanced drone and electronic warfare techniques at the end of 2025.
According to media reports, Beijing and Moscow concluded a secret military agreement in July 2025 with far-reaching consequences, while China affirms that it is neutral in the Ukraine war.
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- 40% of the sources lean Right
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