A360
Key Takeaways✦ Atlas AI
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China has secretly trained Russian soldiers in advanced drone warfare techniques at its own military facilities.
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Some of these trained Russian personnel have reportedly returned to combat operations in Ukraine.
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The clandestine training suggests a deeper level of military cooperation between China and Russia than publicly acknowledged.
Atlas AI
European intelligence sources have revealed that China secretly trained approximately 200 Russian military personnel in advanced drone tactics and counter-drone measures at its facilities late last year. This covert operation, detailed in agreements reviewed , suggests a deeper military engagement by Beijing in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine than previously acknowledged.
Covert Training Program Details
The training sessions, which took place in facilities across China including Beijing and Nanjing, were outlined in a Russian-Chinese agreement signed in July 2025. The pact also stipulated reciprocal training for hundreds of Chinese troops in Russia. Intelligence officials indicate that some of the Russian personnel who underwent this training have since returned to active duty on the Ukrainian frontlines.
This development is significant as it implicates China more directly in the European conflict. While Beijing maintains a stance of neutrality and promotes itself as a peace mediator, these training activities suggest a supportive role towards Russia's military objectives. The agreement explicitly prohibited any media coverage and restricted information sharing with third parties.
Focus on Drone Warfare and Beyond
Drones have emerged as a critical component of modern warfare, particularly in the Ukraine conflict, impacting long-range strikes and close-quarters battlefield operations. The training reportedly covered not only drone operation but also electronic warfare, army aviation, and armored infantry tactics.
Specifically, reports detailed sessions on identifying targets with unmanned aerial vehicles for mortar fire and employing electronic warfare rifles and net-throwing devices against incoming drones.
Further training included advanced flight simulator use and familiarization with various drone types, including first-person view (FPV) models. Aspects of explosives technology, mine construction, and demining were also part of the curriculum, indicating a broad scope of military knowledge transfer. Photographic evidence reportedly shows Russian soldiers receiving instruction from Chinese personnel.
Implications for Regional Security
The return of trained Russian personnel to the Ukraine conflict raises concerns for European security, amplifying the complex geopolitical relationship between China and Russia. This clandestine military cooperation comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.
Intelligence agencies have confirmed the identities of a few Russian servicemen, ranging in rank from junior sergeant to lieutenant colonel, who trained in China and subsequently participated in combat operations involving drones in occupied Ukrainian territories. While direct confirmation of their battlefield involvement is difficult, intelligence agencies deem it highly probable that many trainees have been deployed.
