China Secretly Trained 200 Russian Troops in Chemical Warfare, Leaked Files Show
Updated
Updated · UNITED24 Media · Jul 1
China Secretly Trained 200 Russian Troops in Chemical Warfare, Leaked Files Show
3 articles · Updated · UNITED24 Media · Jul 1
Summary
Around 200 Russian personnel attended a three-week PLA course in Beijing in November 2025 covering chemical and radiation reconnaissance and contamination protection, according to leaked files reviewed by Reuters.
An August 2025 decree personally authorized by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov approved the delegation, while a July 2, 2025 agreement between Russian and Chinese officers set up the training framework.
At least four Russian and Chinese generals coordinated the program, and participant logs show senior Russian commanders including Rustam Muradov and Vitaly Gerasimov took part alongside Chinese Major General Li Jinsun.
European intelligence officials said some trainees were later deployed to the war in Ukraine, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Brussels has confirmed the training and is weighing a response.
Beijing called the report unfounded and a Russian lawmaker dismissed it as nonsense, but the disclosure adds to evidence of deepening China-Russia military coordination already visible in joint air patrols near South Korea.
As China risks Western sanctions to train Russian troops, what is Beijing's ultimate strategic endgame?
In an age of drone warfare, why are Russia and China secretly training for chemical and radiological combat?
Will the EU's threatened sanctions sever its vital trade with China over this secret military training?
China-Russia Covert Military Training Program Exposed: EU Verification, Chemical Warfare, and Escalating Global Tensions
Overview
Recently uncovered documents reveal a covert military training program between China and Russia, involving high-ranking officials from both countries. The training took place in Chinese cities like Nanjing and Bengbu, with a focus on specialized warfare techniques led by the PLA’s Military Academy of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense. The program featured advanced equipment, simulators, and strong theoretical instruction, though reports noted China’s limited combat experience. The presence of top Russian generals, including Col. Gen. Rustam Muradov and Maj. Gen. Vitaly Gerasimov, highlights the strategic importance both nations placed on this secret collaboration.