In 2025, China secretly provided military training to around 200 Russian forces, covering radiological, chemical, and biological (RCB) protection, among other specialized topics. The training occurred in multiple Chinese cities including Beijing, Nanjing, and Bengbu [1, 2, 3].

The program was officially authorized by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in an internal decree issued in August 2025. At least four senior generals from Russia and China directly oversaw the training operations [4, 1, 5, 2, 3].

A notable three-week course in November 2025 in Beijing focused on nuclear reactor models, chemical and radiation reconnaissance, and ventilation system contamination protection. This course was attended by senior military leaders, including Chinese Major General Li Jinsun from the PLA RCB Defense Academy and Russian Major General Vitaly Gerasimov [1, 5, 2, 3].

The training was based on a July 2, 2025, agreement signed by Russian Major General Rustam Khusainov and PLA Colonel Sun Dayun, initiating the cooperative program between the two militaries[citation needed] [1, 2].

Russian Army Deputy Commander Colonel General Rustam Muradov led the Russian delegation to the Chinese training facilities. Official Russian reports praised the quality of Chinese training equipment, simulators, and instructors’ theoretical knowledge but noted China’s lack of real combat experience [1, 2, 3].

China and Russia have formally denied the existence of these training activities. The Chinese Foreign Ministry described the allegations as "baseless," emphasizing China’s neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict [1, 5, 2, 3]. Meanwhile, Russian State Duma Defense Committee Chair Andrei Kartapolov called the reports "complete nonsense" and stated that Russian forces had nothing to learn from China [1, 5, 2, 3].

Despite official denials, European officials expressed alarm over the high-level cooperation, particularly in nuclear, biological, and chemical defense areas related to the Ukraine war. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said that "China has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war," signaling policy discussions within the European Union [4, 2, 3].

The secret training and agreement represent the most concrete evidence to date of direct Chinese military support to Russia amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine. No further training events beyond 2025 have been publicly reported, and no new official statements on the matter have emerged.