Russia authorized covert military training involving Chinese forces at the highest levels of its defense establishment, with multiple senior generals participating in exercises that included chemical, biological, and radiological warfare instruction, according to sources and documents seen by Reuters, Reuters reporting showed.
The revelations, published by Reuters, indicate that the training was personally approved by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in 2025 and involved at least four senior Russian and Chinese generals. European officials cited by Reuters said the scale and seniority of the participants underscored the strategic importance both countries attach to expanding defense cooperation amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A classified Russian document reviewed by Reuters reportedly referenced an internal decree issued by Belousov in August 2025, authorizing a delegation of Russian armed forces to travel to China for training at facilities run by the People’s Liberation Army. The exercises were described as part of structured military cooperation linked to operational lessons from the Ukraine conflict.
According to Reuters reporting, one of the key training programs took place in November in Beijing and focused on radiological, chemical, and biological protection. The sessions reportedly included instruction on “chemical reconnaissance,” “radiation reconnaissance,” and safeguarding ventilation systems from contamination. Images and reports seen by Reuters showed Russian soldiers being lectured by Chinese instructors and studying models of nuclear facilities.
European officials told Reuters that the involvement of senior commanders in such sensitive areas highlighted the depth of coordination between Moscow and Beijing. The officials said the training’s focus on weapons of mass destruction defense systems was particularly significant given its direct relevance to modern battlefield conditions and its strategic sensitivity.
China’s foreign ministry rejected the allegations reported by Reuters, stating that its position on the Ukraine conflict has remained consistent and describing the claims as “entirely unfounded.” Beijing has repeatedly maintained that it is neutral in the war and presents itself as a potential mediator, despite mounting Western concerns over its expanding ties with Russia.
The Kremlin also declined to comment on earlier related reporting cited by Reuters, but has previously dismissed similar allegations as “false information” circulated in the West. Russian lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov, head of the parliamentary defense committee, separately described the claims as “complete nonsense,” arguing that Russia’s military has no need for such training from China.
Reuters reporting also cited European Union officials who said Brussels had independently confirmed aspects of the cooperation through its own channels. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in June that the bloc was assessing the implications of the growing Russia–China defense relationship, which she described as increasingly significant in the context of the Ukraine war.
According to documents seen by Reuters, Russian Major General Rustam Khusainov and Chinese Senior Colonel Sun Dayun were among the signatories of a July 2025 agreement underpinning the training arrangement. Additional materials reportedly listed multiple senior officers involved, including high-ranking commanders overseeing land forces and chemical defense units.
The disclosures come as European governments reassess their security posture amid deepening military cooperation between Russia and China. Officials cited by Reuters warned that the collaboration, particularly in specialized warfare training, could have broader implications for European defense planning as the war in Ukraine continues and geopolitical tensions widen.
