Russia shares military expertise with China amid Ukraine war

Russia is reportedly transferring advanced military technology to China, including expertise in drone warfare and submarine manufacturing, in exchange for Chinese support in the Ukraine conflict. The information, which comes from sources close to several European intelligence services and was reported by The Economist, suggests that Chinese soldiers have been training at a facility near Volgograd since 2024.

This exchange is significant as China, despite its military buildup, lacks recent combat experience. The Chinese military has not engaged in large-scale conflict since 1979. The Ukraine war has highlighted the critical role of drones, and Russia's insights into their operational use in combat are considered highly valuable to Beijing.

Unconfirmed intelligence reports also indicate that the Chinese military has sent observers to Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine to learn from ongoing operations. This alleged intelligence gathering, coupled with the direct technology sharing, is seen as preparation for a potential military invasion of Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province. The transfer of knowledge aims to bolster China's capabilities for such a scenario.