Russia approved secret China military training at top level, sources say

China's covert military training of Russian forces last year received personal approval from Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, according to documents and European officials. The involvement of at least four Russian and Chinese generals highlights the significance of this cooperation, which has raised alarms in Europe.

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The relevant allegations are entirely unfounded.

One classified Russian document details an internal decree from Belousov in August 2025, leading to a Russian delegation's participation in training exercises at People's Liberation Army facilities. A three-week session in November focused on radiological, chemical, and biological protection at a Beijing military facility. Images reportedly show Russian soldiers receiving instruction on chemical and radiation reconnaissance and contamination protection.

The inclusion of such sensitive training underscores the strategic nature of the exchanges, according to one European official. Both the Russian and Chinese defense ministries did not respond to requests for comment. China's foreign ministry reiterated its neutral stance on the Ukraine war, calling the allegations "entirely unfounded."

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The involvement of such high-ranking individuals in training linked to the Ukraine war signaled the importance for Russia and China of such cooperation, which has caused alarm in Europe even as Beijing has denied it took place.

This report follows a previous one citing European intelligence agencies that China trained around 200 Russian personnel in November, some of whom have since joined the Ukraine war. The Kremlin dismissed that report as "false information," while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed the training through her own channels and is assessing implications, a claim Beijing described as "smears."

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This is nothing but smears.