China secretly trained Russian soldiers who later fought in Ukraine, Reuters reports
The Kyiv Independent • • world
Key Points:
- In late 2025, China secretly trained about 200 Russian military personnel, focusing mainly on drone warfare, under a Russian-Chinese agreement signed in July 2025, according to European intelligence agencies and documents reviewed by Reuters.
- The training also included electronic warfare, army aviation, armored infantry, explosives handling, demining, and counter-drone measures, with some trained Russian personnel later participating in combat operations in Ukraine.
- This covert cooperation indicates deeper Chinese involvement in Russia's war effort, contradicting China's official stance of neutrality and its role as a potential peace mediator.
- Previous investigations revealed ongoing military cooperation, including Chinese visits to Russia for equipment inspections and financial support to sanctioned Russian defense companies.
- The report emerges ahead of a planned meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, highlighting the strategic military ties between the two nations.