The European Union has confirmed reports that China has been training Russian soldiers, some of whom have actively participated in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This information was disclosed by a senior EU official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
The official stated, “We have already confirmed, or it is currently being confirmed, that China has trained Russian soldiers, some of whom have been directly involved in the war against Ukraine.” He noted that intelligence services within the EU have corroborated this information.
According to the official, the training involved hundreds of individuals and took place at various locations across China. He emphasized that this training represents direct support for Russia, distinguishing it from previous indirect assistance. “This is specific training for soldiers, some of whom ended up on the front lines,” he added.
The issue of China’s involvement will be a focal point during the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled for June 15. Ministers are set to discuss security concerns, the European defense industry’s dependence on Chinese supply chains, and Beijing’s support for Russia.
Official statements from Beijing have consistently denied any arms supplies to Russia, maintaining a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict. However, Western nations and the EU have repeatedly accused Chinese companies of supplying dual-use goods that are utilized by the Russian military-industrial complex.
This revelation comes a month after a Reuters report, which cited information from three European intelligence agencies, indicating that China had secretly trained around 200 Russian military personnel on its territory by the end of 2025. The training reportedly took place at military facilities in Beijing and Nanjing, under a bilateral agreement signed by Russian and Chinese military officials in July 2025. Some of these Russian soldiers returned to combat operations in Ukraine after completing their training.
Furthermore, the training included instruction on the use of drones, electronic warfare systems, army aviation, and armored units. Intelligence sources indicated that China’s drone industry also provided access to advanced technologies and simulators for training drone operators.
The EU has confirmed that China has been training Russian soldiers, some of whom are involved in the Ukraine conflict. This training, which involves hundreds of personnel, highlights direct military support from China, diverging from its previously stated neutral stance.