China trained Russian troops fighting in Ukraine in secret

Sources claim that before sending Russian forces to Ukraine, China surreptitiously trained them in combat techniques, including using drones.

According to European intelligence assessments and documents examined by Reuters, sources assert that Chinese military officers covertly taught advanced fighting skills to Russian soldiers, some of whom were then sent to Ukraine.

According to three European intelligence agencies and documents obtained by Reuters, China allegedly secretly trained over 200 Russian military forces on its soil in late 2023. Some of those soldiers later returned to active combat positions in Ukraine.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Beijing and Moscow have frequently participated in joint military exercises, although China maintains its public insistence that it is neutral in the crisis and presents itself as a possible mediator.

According to a bilingual Russian-Chinese agreement signed by top officers in Beijing on July 2, 2025, the training arrangement comprised military education in places including Beijing and Nanjing. About 200 Russian soldiers would take part in programs mostly centered on drone warfare and related technology, according to the paper obtained by Reuters.

According to intelligence sources, the training focused on contemporary military systems, especially unmanned aerial vehicles, and participants subsequently returned to activities related to the conflict in Ukraine. According to reports, the pact also included clauses allowing Chinese forces to receive training in Russia.

Given the operational nature of the training, one intelligence officer said the development points to a greater level of Chinese military engagement in the fight in Ukraine than previously thought.

China’s Foreign Ministry denied any participation in the conflict, claiming to remain neutral and to support peace talks while cautioning against accusations that would incite conflict or wrongly place blame.

The training reportedly included drone operations, electronic warfare, armored tactics, and infantry coordination. Additionally, the agreement purportedly limited third-party disclosure of the visits and prohibited media coverage.

According to sources, Russian soldiers who received training in China came from a variety of ranks, including instructors who might transfer learned capabilities down their military command structures. Although this has not been officially verified, it is thought that certain people later took part in drone-related operations in areas of seized Ukraine.

The cooperation, according to European authorities, is a reflection of Beijing’s and Moscow’s developing strategic ties. Beijing announced a “no limits” partnership just prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, despite Western countries’ efforts to isolate Moscow, China has maintained economic ties with Russia, notably energy purchases.

Military experts observe that although Russia possesses significant battlefield experience from Ukraine, China’s swiftly advancing defense industry provides cutting-edge technological capabilities, especially in drone development and simulation-based training.

Additionally, reports state that since 2024, Chinese military units have conducted drills in Russia; nevertheless, the training of Russian troops in China is a relatively recent trend.

Internal Russian documents reviewed by Reuters indicate that training sessions encompassed simulated combat scenarios, drone-assisted targeting exercises, electronic warfare countermeasures, and engineering skills, including mine clearance and explosives handling.

Some reports detailed training at military facilities associated with the PLA, where Russian personnel learned to integrate drones with ground operations and adapt to the swiftly changing battlefield conditions influenced by unmanned systems.

Requests for comment on the accusations were not answered by Russia’s military officials or China’s defense ministry.

Analysts indicate that the reported cooperation highlights a growing alignment between the two countries, even as global scrutiny intensifies regarding their expanding strategic partnership and its implications for the war in Ukraine.