Classified reports reveal Russia approved secret military training in China

A secret military exercise, in which Russian forces were trained by China last year, was personally authorized by President Vladimir Putin’s defense minister. According to two European officials and documents obtained by Reuters, at least four Russian and Chinese generals were directly involved in the process.

A classified Russian document made direct reference to an internal decree issued by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in August 2025. That document said that, based on Belousov’s decision, a delegation from the Russian armed forces traveled to China to take part in training exercises at facilities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The same report also provided details on one of the training programs: a three-week session held in November at a military facility in Beijing, focused on radiological, chemical and biological defense.

The material also described, through images, how Russian soldiers listened to lectures from a Chinese instructor, observed a model of a nuclear reactor and were trained in “chemical detection,” “radiation detection,” as well as protecting ventilation systems from contamination.

Officials said the involvement of such high-ranking figures in training linked to the war in Ukraine showed the importance this cooperation holds for Russia and China. According to them, this has raised concern in Europe, although Beijing has denied that such a thing happened.