Ukraine War: China is said to have trained Russian soldiers who then fought in the Ukraine War

In July 2025, in downtown Beijing, Russian and Chinese officers signed a secret agreement: hundreds of Russian soldiers would be trained by the Chinese army to then fight in Ukraine, in roles ranging from piloting drones to electronic warfare simulations. The news comes from Western intelligence documents, cited by both Reuters and Die Welt, and completely overturns the image of China as a neutral spectator in the conflict. Until now, Beijing's official version was "we are mediators, not taking sides," but behind the scenes, a sophisticated military collaboration is underway, with training in cities such as Nanjing and Beijing, all covered by the utmost secrecy and forbidden to the media. Take, for example, Rubicon, the Russian elite unit specializing in drones: some of its men are among the participants in these courses. After training, dozens of Russians trained in China were sent directly to fight in eastern Ukraine, in some cases as operational commanders. It's not just about theoretical lessons: the soldiers worked both on virtual simulators and on real indoor drone courses, learning techniques that make a difference in battle. The most disturbing detail is the request for absolute secrecy, written in black and white in the agreement: no press, no leaks, no traces. And if you're wondering why all this matters, think about the weight of a document signed by both governments, in two languages, that was never supposed to see the light of day. In all of this, Chinese President Xi Jinping continues to present himself as an impartial arbiter on the global stage. But behind closed doors, his army is preparing the soldiers who then fly Russian drones on the Ukrainian front. Here is the point that no one disputes: a "neutrality" that trains those who fight is no longer neutrality, but a disguised alliance. The phrase that remains is this: those who claim to be neutral often move where no one is looking. If this story has changed your idea about China's neutrality, on Lara Notes you can press I'm In — it's the way of saying that this perspective is now part of how you think. And if you happen to discuss it at dinner, on Lara Notes you can mark who was there with Shared Offline — because some conversations deserve to be remembered. This Note comes from DER SPIEGEL and saves you all the time you would have spent reading an international investigation.