Beijing has trained approximately 200 Russian soldiers, with some of those troops subsequently deployed to the front lines in Ukraine, according to a Reuters report citing European intelligence sources. The revelation marks what may be the clearest signal yet that China’s military relationship with Russia has crossed a line from diplomatic hand-holding into something far more operationally significant.
From joint exercises to combat training
A study from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) indicates that Russia plans to host around 600 Chinese troops by 2025. The purpose would be to enhance their skills in countering NATO-standard weapons, the kind of equipment that has been flowing into Ukraine from Western allies for over two years.
The RUSI study goes further, revealing that Russia intends to train a full Chinese airborne battalion and equip them with combat vehicles for airdrop operations.
The broader intelligence picture
Reports indicate that China has supplied Russia with military equipment and may be providing satellite intelligence for operations in Ukraine.
China’s Foreign Ministry has not confirmed or denied the reports regarding the training of Chinese troops in Russia.
The arrangement also appears to be reciprocal in ways that benefit China directly. Having PLA personnel operate alongside Russian forces gives Chinese military planners possible exposure to NATO-standard weapon systems in a live conflict environment. That kind of intelligence is extraordinarily difficult to obtain through any other means.
