Ammon News - China's covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved by President Vladimir Putin's defence minister and directly involved at ​least four Russian and Chinese generals, according to two European officials and documents seen by Reuters.

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

A classified Russian document seen by Reuters directly referred to an internal decree issued by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov in August, 2025.
It said that, in accordance with a decision by Belousov, a delegation from Russia's armed forces travelled to China to participate in training exercises at People's Liberation Army (PLA) facilities.

The same report detailed one of the training courses - a three-week session focused on radiological, chemical and biological protection at a military facility in Beijing in ​November.

The report and a second one described and displayed images of Russian soldiers being lectured by a Chinese instructor, looking at a model nuclear reactor, ⁠and being taught about "chemical reconnaissance", "radiation reconnaissance" and protecting ventilation systems from contamination.

The inclusion of radiological, biological and chemical warfare training underlined the strategic nature of the exchanges, one of the European officials ​said, noting that the topic was particularly sensitive for militaries in general.


Reuters