China's covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and involved at least four senior Russian and Chinese military officers, according to two European officials and documents reviewed by Reuters.
A classified Russian document referred to an internal decree issued by Belousov in August 2025 authorising a Russian military delegation to travel to China for training at People's Liberation Army (PLA) facilities.
One of the reported courses was a three-week programme in Beijing focused on radiological, chemical and biological protection. Documents described Russian personnel receiving instruction on chemical and radiation reconnaissance, nuclear reactor models and contamination protection systems.
European officials said the inclusion of radiological, biological and chemical warfare training highlighted the strategic importance of the military exchanges.
The defence ministries of Russia and China did not respond to requests for comment. China's foreign ministry said its position on the war in Ukraine had remained consistent and stated, "The relevant allegations are entirely unfounded."
Beijing maintains it is neutral in the conflict and has presented itself as a potential peace mediator.
According to a Reuters report published last month, China trained around 200 Russian military personnel in November, some of whom later joined the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin declined to comment on that report, describing it as "false information" published in the West.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the EU had confirmed through its own channels that the training had taken place and was assessing its implications. Beijing dismissed her remarks as "nothing but smears."
European officials said discussions are continuing within the EU over whether additional measures should be taken in response, despite China's importance as one of the bloc's largest trading partners.
The documents identified Russian Major General Rustam Khusainov and Chinese Senior Colonel Sun Dayun as signatories to the agreement governing the training. They also named Colonel General Rustam Muradov, deputy commander-in-chief of Russia's land forces, as head of the Russian delegation, alongside other senior military officers.
Russian lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov dismissed the report, calling it "complete nonsense" and saying Russia's military had nothing to learn from China.
Internal Russian military assessments reviewed by Reuters praised the quality of Chinese equipment, simulators and instructors while also noting China's lack of recent combat experience.
