European intelligence agencies say that around 200 Russian military personnel were secretly trained in China in late 2025, with some later deployed to fight in the war in Ukraine.

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, the training took place at multiple facilities in China, including in Beijing, Nanjing, and other military academies, and focused heavily on drone warfare, electronic warfare, and counter-drone tactics.

Intelligence officials say some of the trained Russian personnel have since been identified in combat roles in Ukraine, including in occupied regions such as Crimea and Zaporizhzhia.

The covert program was outlined in a dual-language agreement signed in July 2025, which also included provisions for reciprocal training of Chinese troops in Russia.

The findings highlight a deepening military dimension in the Russia–Ukraine war, even as China publicly maintains it is neutral and calls for peace talks.

China’s foreign ministry reiterated that it “maintains an objective and impartial stance,” while Russia has not commented on the specific allegations.

The report comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, underscoring the continued strategic closeness between Moscow and Beijing despite Western concerns.