Putin Approved China Covertly Training Russian Forces

China’s covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved at the highest levels of Moscow's defense apparatus.

The secret program was directly involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals, highlighting a strategic expansion in military cooperation.

Covert PLA Facilities

Classified Russian documents confirm the direct involvement of Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

He issued an internal decree in August 2025 authorizing the operation.

Under this directive, a delegation of the Russian armed forces traveled to China.

The personnel participated in specialized training exercises at People’s Liberation Army (PLA) facilities.

Specialized Chemical Warfare Focus

The covert training heavily prioritized radiological, biological, and chemical protection capabilities.

A detailed three-week session took place at a military facility in Beijing in November.

Internal reports and images depicted Chinese instructors lecturing Russian soldiers.

The troops examined a model nuclear reactor and received instruction in chemical and radiation reconnaissance, as well as protecting ventilation systems from contamination.

European officials noted that the inclusion of such highly sensitive topics in warfare underscores the strategic depth of the covert exchanges.

Top-Level Military Coordination

Classified rosters documented the exact identities, ranks, and security clearances of all participating Russian personnel.

A July 2 agreement underpinning the covert training was signed by Russian Major General Rustam Khusainov and Chinese Senior Colonel Sun Dayun.

Colonel General Rustam Muradov, deputy commander-in-chief of Russia’s land forces, led the Russian delegation.

Chinese Major General Li Jinsun, head of the PLA’s Military Academy of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense, opened one of the courses.

Russian Major General Vitaly Gerasimov also participated in a separate course in Bengbu.

Tactical Assessments

Around 200 Russian military personnel received covert training in November. Some of these troops have since deployed to the war in Ukraine.

Russian internal assessments of the covert program noted distinct operational strengths and weaknesses.

Reports praised the PLA’s advanced equipment, high theoretical knowledge, and effective use of simulators during training in Nanjing.

However, Russian evaluators specifically cited the Chinese military's lack of recent combat experience as a primary limitation.

European Alarm and Denials

The covert training program has caused alarm across European capitals. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed on June 15 that Brussels verified the training took place through its own channels.

Kallas urged the bloc to view Beijing as a decisive enabler of Russia’s war.

The 27-member bloc is currently holding closed-door discussions on whether to implement further retaliatory measures against China.

Beijing has consistently denied the covert operations, describing European allegations as entirely unfounded smears.

Russian officials, including senior lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov, similarly dismissed the intelligence reports as complete nonsense.