Exclusive: Russians Covertly Trained by China Return to Fight in Ukraine

A Wing Loong-X drone is displayed during the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, in southern China's Guangdong province on November 15, 2024. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
A Wing Loong-X drone is displayed during the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, in southern China's Guangdong province on November 15, 2024. Photo / Hector RETAMAL / AFP

China’s armed forces secretly trained about 200 Russian military personnel in China late last year and some have since returned to fight in Ukraine, according to three European intelligence agencies and documents seen by Reuters.

While China and Russia have held a number of joint military exercises since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Beijing has repeatedly stated that it is neutral in the conflict and presents itself as a peace mediator.

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