For those who have been saying for years that there are “no direct connections” between Russia’s actions in the Ukraine war and that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is “only indirectly supporting Moscow’s war effort,” we have news for you.
As the war in Ukraine drags on into its 5th year, it becomes increasingly evident that official press releases attesting to Beijing’s neutrality in the conflict are not worth the paper they are printed on.
China Helping Russia with Ukraine War?
A 96th Test Wing F-15E Strike Eagle flies during a test mission May 22, 2025 over Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The 96 TW and the 53rd Wing teamed up to test AGR-20F Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II laser-guided rockets on the F-15E in May in an effort to get the capability to the warfighter as quickly as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley)
Earlier this month, the European Union (EU) confirmed reports that the PRC’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has provided training to what are described as “hundreds” of Russian military personnel.
A significant number of these personnel ended up being deployed into the field and fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
This PLA training program was reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), which described the source as a “high-ranking EU official.”
Other reports have been more specific, linking the revelation to sources from three European intelligence agencies. Reuters is also reporting that it has seen actual documentation of Russia-PRC cooperation.
Beijing and Moscow have held several joint military exercises since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
PRC officials have, unsurprisingly, consistently claimed that it is not only a neutral party but also, rather incredulously, willing to act as a peace mediator between Moscow and Kyiv.
Assisting As Well As Controlling Russia
According to the same EU intelligence service sources, this training was conducted at several different locations within the PRC.
More than one source pointed out very directly that this program was not Beijing providing support for Russia that could be categorized as indirect aid or support, but rather that this training was most definitely direct military assistance.
“We have already confirmed, or are currently confirming, that China trained Russian soldiers, some of whom were directly involved in the war against Ukraine. According to the figures I have seen, we are talking about hundreds of people,” the EU official who spoke to RFE/RL said, with him adding that this information had been confirmed by relevant EU intelligence services.
The PRC’s claim of neutrality in the conflict is based on criteria Beijing itself uses to define it and on official statements that it is not supplying any weaponry to Russia.
Responding to this statement, one Ukrainian defense contractor who spoke to National Security Journal declared that “the Chinese, when it comes to their claims of being neutral – as well as many of their other statements – are absolutely full of some word that one does not normally use in regular news publications.”
“They can talk all day long about what they are not doing,” he continued. But what they are doing is providing almost everything that Russia needs to continue building the weapons it uses in this war.
His view is echoed by that of retired Royal Netherlands Navy Adm. Rob Bauer, who served as Head of NATO’s Military Committee from June 2021 to January 2025.
In an interview he gave recently, he spells the degree to which Beijing is not only supporting Russia directly in the Ukraine war, but also how the PRC controls whatever Putin does next.
The Drone Wars and All Other Kinds of Warfare
“If Russia wanted to attack NATO, where do you think that decision would be taken?” Bauer asked his interviewer. “In Moscow,” was the reply. “No,” said Bauer in response – “in Beijing. The Chinese are basically allowing Russia to stay in the war, and they provide Russia with everything they need to make weapons. The Chinese can still say ‘we don’t give weapons,’ but they literally give Russia everything they need to produce those [same] weapons. If they would like to attack NATO, they would have to ask permission in Beijing.”
Now Moscow appears to be moving beyond controlling Russia’s actions in Ukraine, but also assuring that Russian servicemen are prepared to fight in it.
According to the Reuters reporting, these Russian military personnel were trained in the use of drones, electronic warfare systems, military aviation, and armored warfare.
The European intelligence services further detailed that the Russian personnel involved held ranks ranging from junior sergeant to lieutenant colonel.
Training for Russian service personnel took place at military facilities. This activity took place in Beijing and Nanjing, which is part of a bilateral agreement signed by Russian and PLA officials in July 2025.
The agreement also provides for similar training programs for Chinese military personnel in Russia.
But the intelligence reports stated that training Russian personnel on Chinese territory marked this arrangement as a new stage in cooperation.
About the Author: Reuben F. Johnson
Reuben F. Johnson has thirty-six years of experience analyzing and reporting on foreign weapons systems, defense technologies, and international arms export policy. Johnson is the Director of Research at the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. He is also a survivor of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He worked for years in the American defense industry as a foreign technology analyst and later as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Defense, the Departments of the Navy and Air Force, and the governments of the United Kingdom and Australia. In 2022-2023, he won two awards in a row for his defense reporting. He holds a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and a master’s degree from Miami University in Ohio, with a specialization in Soviet and Russian studies. He lives in Warsaw.
