Chinese Armed Forces Secretly Train 200 Russian Soldiers: What is Happening?

The Chinese armed forces secretly trained approximately 200 Russian military personnel in China late last year, with some individuals having since returned to fight in Ukraine, according to three European intelligence agencies and documents reviewed by Reuters.

According to the reports, these clandestine training sessions, which focused largely on the use of drones, were outlined in a bilingual Russian-Chinese agreement signed by senior officers from both nations in Beijing on 2 July 2025. The agreement, reviewed by Reuters, specifies that around 200 Russian soldiers were trained at military facilities in various locations, including Beijing and the eastern city of Nanjing. Sources indicate that a similar number of personnel subsequently underwent training in China.

The agreement also stipulates that hundreds of Chinese soldiers will undergo training at military facilities within Russia. “By training Russian military personnel at operational and tactical levels who then participate in Ukraine, China is far more directly involved in the war on the European continent than previously known,” stated an intelligence official.

The Russian and Chinese Ministries of Defence did not respond to requests for comment regarding the specific details outlined in this report. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated to Reuters: “Regarding the Ukraine crisis, China consistently maintains an objective and non-aligned stance and seeks to promote peace negotiations, which is consistent, clear, and witnessed by the international community. Relevant parties should not deliberately provoke confrontation or divert blame.”