China secretly trained Russian troops for the war against Ukraine
In late 2025, the Chinese military was secretly training Russian servicemen to participate in the war against Ukraine. According to media reports, the group included fighters from the elite Rubicon drone unit.
This was reported by the German newspaper Welt, citing classified documents from European intelligence agencies.
According to the publication, the People’s Liberation Army of China “secretly conducted training programs for several hundred Russian soldiers at six military facilities in China.” The participants included military personnel of various ranks and generations, born between the 1970s and 2001.
"After completing operational-tactical training in early 2026, dozens of Russian soldiers took part in combat operations in Ukraine, some of them in command positions. Among the military personnel trained in China were also representatives of "Rubicon"—a Russian elite drone unit whose presence often significantly influences the course of events in Ukraine’s frontline regions," the article states.
It is noted that China’s positioning of itself as a “neutral great power” in Russia’s war against Ukraine “is coming under increasing pressure.” The publication recalls that the “peace plan” presented by Beijing in 2023 was met with skepticism in Europe even then, and now “the publicized training cooperation and large-scale deliveries of Chinese dual-use goods to Russia are raising new doubts about Beijing’s declared neutrality.”
According to Welt, the main focus during the Russian military exercises in China was on “the use of unmanned systems, electronic countermeasures against drones, and modern combat simulations.” The Russians trained both on virtual simulators and in practical drone courses in warehouse facilities.
At the same time, cooperation between Moscow and Beijing, according to European intelligence agencies, is reciprocal. In 2025, approximately 600 Chinese military personnel also underwent training in Russia. The main areas of training were tank forces, artillery, engineering troops, and air defense.
According to European intelligence agencies, China is also actively interested in Western weapons that Ukraine is using on the front lines. There is an “intensive exchange of information regarding Western weapons systems” captured by Russian troops between Moscow and Beijing. Particular attention is being paid to the American HIMARS and Patriot systems, the German Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and American Abrams tanks.
Welt also reports that China and Russia have signed an agreement to purchase Russian BMD-4M, 2S25M, and BTR-MDM amphibious assault vehicles. Deliveries are expected throughout 2026. According to European intelligence agencies, these vehicles “could be suitable for a potential invasion scenario in Taiwan.” In addition to the vehicles themselves, China is also receiving “appropriate training from Russian personnel.”
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