China’s armed forces began secretly training around 200 Russian soldiers involved in operations in Ukraine at the end of 2025, according to information from three European intelligence agencies and documents reviewed by Reuters.
Despite numerous joint military exercises between China and Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Beijing has consistently declared itself neutral and presented itself as a peace mediator.
However, the secret training reveals China’s direct involvement in the war in Eastern Europe, primarily through training soldiers in drone operations.
“Regarding the Ukraine crisis, China has consistently maintained an objective and impartial position and has worked to promote peace talks. This position is consistent, clear, and has been recognized by the international community,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “The parties involved should not deliberately incite confrontation or shift responsibility,” it added.
According to a China–Russia agreement reportedly signed on July 2, 2025, and reviewed by Reuters, Russian soldiers were trained at military facilities in Beijing and in the southern city of Nanjing, while hundreds of Chinese soldiers received training in Russia.
The training focused on drone warfare, electronic warfare, military aviation, and armored infantry, while the agreement reportedly prohibited publication or sharing of information with third parties.
Some of the trained Russian soldiers reportedly participated directly in operations in Ukraine, in areas such as Crimea and Zaporizhzhia, according to secret European intelligence sources. The trainees included non-commissioned officers and captains.
Drone warfare has become crucial in Ukraine, with long-range models striking targets hundreds of kilometers away and smaller FPV drones dominating the battlefield, making the movement of armored vehicles and infantry extremely dangerous.
Internal Russian reports detail four main training courses in China, including 82mm mortar training, air defense systems, combat drones, and flight simulators. The training took place at military academies in Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, and the PLA Army Engineering University in Nanjing.
At the same time, Chinese soldiers trained in Russia (visits reportedly ongoing since at least 2024) were introduced to force coordination and combat support operations, strengthening military cooperation between the two countries and confirming their so-called “no limits” partnership since the start of the Ukraine war.
