Reports Allege China Secretly Trained Russian Troops in Chemical Warfare

China secretly trained Russian military personnel in radiological, biological and chemical warfare under a programme approved by senior Russian defence officials, according to classified documents and European officials cited by Reuters.

The report alleges that around 200 Russian troops took part in specialised training at Chinese military facilities in late 2025, including a three-week course in Beijing covering chemical reconnaissance, radiation protection and contamination defence. Some of the soldiers are believed to have later been deployed to the war in Ukraine.

Reuters reported that the programme was authorised by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and involved several senior military officers from both countries, highlighting the growing strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing.

China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations as «entirely unfounded», maintaining that Beijing remains neutral in the Ukraine conflict and continues to support peace negotiations. Russia has not publicly confirmed the reported training programme.

The revelations have raised concerns among European officials, who argue the alleged cooperation goes beyond previous military exchanges and could further complicate relations between China and the European Union.