Secret Russian-Chinese training

According to Reuters, citing European officials and Russian documents, Russia and China conducted secret military training in 2025, which was approved by Minister of Defence Andrey Belousov. The disclosed documents reveal that the program included, among other things, a three-week session on radiological, chemical, and biological defence in Beijing.

At least four Russian and Chinese generals were involved in organising and conducting the exercises. The Russian side reportedly praised Chinese equipment, technology, and the high level of theoretical knowledge of the instructors; however, the Chinese side was criticised for a lack of combat experience.

Beijing strongly denies the reports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “the relevant allegations are completely groundless.” Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Andrey Kartapolov called the Reuters publication “complete nonsense,” adding that Russia has nothing to learn from China.

Military cooperation between the two nations is evident, though covert. This fact naturally raises concerns in Europe. There are growing calls for the European Union to stop viewing China solely through an economic prism and to pay closer attention to its role as a “decisive enabler of Russia’s war.”