Reports Reveal China Covertly Trained Russian Soldiers for Ukraine War

Classified documents and reports, including new information from Japan Times, confirm that China has been secretly training hundreds of Russian soldiers, including in drone operation, for deployment in the war in Ukraine, despite Beijing's claims of neutrality.

19 May, 10:08 — 20 May, 01:00

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Why this matters

This story is significant because it reveals direct military support from China to Russia for the Ukraine war, contradicting China's public stance of neutrality and its role as a potential peace mediator. Such covert assistance could escalate geopolitical tensions and further complicate international efforts to resolve the conflict.

Key entitiesChina Russia European intelligence agencies Ukraine

The Story

What 22 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

China secretly trained approximately 200 Russian military personnel in late 2025
Some of the trained Russian soldiers have since returned to fight in Ukraine
The training involved advanced techniques, including drone warfare and electronic warfare
The reports cite European intelligence agencies and classified documents

Key claims4 agreed · 1 unverified

✓

China secretly trained approximately 200 Russian military personnel in late 2025.

agreed·japan-timesndtvobservadorzdg-mdbalkan-web+15

✓

Some of the trained Russian soldiers have returned to fight in Ukraine.

agreed·japan-timesndtvobservadorzdg-mdbalkan-web+15

The training included air defense, electronic warfare rifles, net-throwing devices, and drones to counter incoming drones.

unverified·ndtv

✓

The reports are based on documents and sources in three European intelligence services.

agreed·danasn1-serbiavijesti-memeduzadelfi-lt+3

✓

China has repeatedly stated its neutrality and presents itself as a peace mediator in the Ukraine conflict.

agreed·japan-timeshvgmkd-mk

Coverage gaps

Specific details of the air defense training, including electronic warfare rifles, net-throwing devices, and counter-drone drones

Reportedndtv

Missingjapan-timesobservadorzdg-md+18

The context of Russian President Vladimir Putin's official visit to China coinciding with the report's release

Reportedbalkan-web

Missingjapan-timesndtvobservador+18

Discussion of Ukraine's 'head-hunting drones' and their impact on Russian soldiers

Reportedforbes

Missing

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Excellent (84/100)

22 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 3/5 buckets covered17/33

Far L

Left11

Left (11)

japan-timesndtvzdg-mddanashvgn1-serbiavijesti-mehotnews+3 more

Center7

Center (7)

balkan-webirozhlasmkd-mkdelfi-ltdigi24Reutersforbes

Right4

Right (4)

observadornaftemporikirzeczpospolitastraits-times

Far R

Geographic diversity— 20 regions34/34

Serbia2Romania2Japan1India1Portugal1Moldova1Albania1Hungary1Czech Republic1Greece1Montenegro1North Macedonia1Russia1Lithuania1Ukraine1Poland1Croatia1Intl1Singapore1US1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

meduza

ndtv

danas

hvg

n1-serbia

index-hr

japan-times

zdg-md

vijesti-me

hotnews

ukrainska-pravda

balkan-web

irozhlas

mkd-mk

delfi-lt

digi24

reuters

forbes

straits-times

observador

naftemporiki

rzeczpospolita

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

meduzacenter-leftleftneutral—Focuses on the 'first known case' of training

ndtvcenter-leftcenter-leftanalyticalMostly FactualFocuses on specific military training details

danas

Coverage leans: center-left

The coverage generally leans center-left, with many outlets emphasizing the contradiction between China's stated neutrality and its covert military support for Russia, often highlighting the implications for the Ukraine war.

Sources

Showing 7 of 22 sources

ReutersVery High83d ago

Exclusive: Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say - Reuters

Exclusive: Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say Reuters

Read full article →

ukrainska-pravda83d ago

China trained group of Russian soldiers in 2025 who later went to fight against Ukraine – Reuters

Around 200 Russian servicemembers underwent training in China in 2025, with some later fighting against Ukraine.

By Oleksandr Shumilin

Read full article →

forbes83d ago

“Slaughterbots” Now: Ukraine’s Head-Hunting Drones Terrify Russians - Forbes

“Slaughterbots” Now: Ukraine’s Head-Hunting Drones Terrify Russians Forbes

Read full article →

straits-timesMostly Factual83d ago

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say - The Straits Times

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say The Straits Times

Read full article →

japan-timesMostly Factual83d ago

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say

While China and Russia have held several joint military exercises since the invasion of Ukraine, Beijing has repeatedly said it is neutral and presents itself as a peace mediator.

Read full article →

ndtvMostly Factual83d ago

Russians Covertly Trained By China Return To Fight In Ukraine: Reports

A second report described air defence training at a military facility, including with electronic warfare rifles, net-throwing devices and drones to counter incoming drones. Two officials said the facility was located in Zhengzhou.

Read full article →

meduza83d ago

Reuters: About 200 Russian troops secretly trained in China, the first known case since the war began

About 200 Russian military personnel trained in China in late 2025 under a secret bilateral agreement, Reuters reported, citing documents and sources in three European intelligence services.

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: forbes · 19 May, 10:08|Full coverage: 22 · 15h|Window: 15h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

forbes19 May, 10:08First to report

“Slaughterbots” Now: Ukraine’s Head-Hunting Drones Terrify Russians - Forbes

straits-times19 May, 10:48

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say - The Straits Times

Reuters19 May, 11:11

Exclusive: Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say - Reuters

index-hr19 May, 11:43

Reuters: Kina tajno obučavala ruske vojnike za rat u Ukrajini

rzeczpospolita19 May, 12:22

Chiny potajemnie szkoliły rosyjskich żołnierzy, którzy dziś walczą na Ukrainie

digi2419 May, 12:55

China și implicarea în războiul din Ucraina: militari ruși instruiți în secret de Beijing se întorc să lupte pe front (Reuters)

ukrainska-pravda19 May, 13:09

China trained group of Russian soldiers in 2025 who later went to fight against Ukraine – Reuters

delfi-lt19 May, 14:00

Kinija slapta apmoko rusų karius

2h later

meduza19 May, 15:46

Reuters: About 200 Russian troops secretly trained in China, the first known case since the war began

hotnews19 May, 16:15

Documente clasificate arată în premieră cum China antrenează soldați ruși trimiși să lupte în Ucraina

mkd-mk19 May, 16:39

Ројтерс: Кина тајно обучувала руски војници за војната во Украина

vijesti-me19 May, 17:04

Kina tajno obučavala ruske vojnike

naftemporiki19 May, 17:17

Reuters: Ρώσοι που εκπαιδεύτηκαν κρυφά από την Κίνα στη χρήση drones, επιστρέφουν για να πολεμήσουν στην Ουκρανία

irozhlas19 May, 17:43

Ruský mocenský aparát je stabilní. Problém ale způsobí návraty vojáků domů, tvrdí rusista Glanc

n1-serbia19 May, 17:53

Reuters: 200 ushtarë rusë stërviten fshehurazi në Kinë për të luftuar në Ukrainë

zdg-md19 May, 18:43

Documente clasificate arată în premieră cum China antrenează soldați ruși trimiși să lupte în Ucraina

1h later

observador19 May, 19:56

Revelado treino secreto de soldados russos na China

ndtv19 May, 20:19

Russians Covertly Trained By China Return To Fight In Ukraine: Reports

5h later

japan-times20 May, 01:00Latest update

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say

Story evolution

The initial narrative focused on the revelation of covert training, which then shifted to include the implications of China's actions on its international standing and the broader Ukraine conflict.

Initial ReportsMay 19 morning-afternoon

Multiple European news outlets began reporting on the Reuters exclusive, detailing China's covert training of Russian soldiers in late 2025.

Details EmergeMay 19 afternoon

Further articles provided more specific details, such as the number of soldiers trained (around 200) and the types of training (drone and electronic warfare).

ContextualizationMay 19 evening - May 20 morning

Some outlets began to contextualize the reports by noting China's stated neutrality versus its actions, and the timing of the report during Putin's visit to China.

Reports Reveal China Covertly Trained Russian Soldiers for Ukraine War

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims4 agreed · 1 unverified

Coverage gaps

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Exclusive: Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say - Reuters

China trained group of Russian soldiers in 2025 who later went to fight against Ukraine – Reuters

“Slaughterbots” Now: Ukraine’s Head-Hunting Drones Terrify Russians - Forbes

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say - The Straits Times

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say

Russians Covertly Trained By China Return To Fight In Ukraine: Reports

Reuters: About 200 Russian troops secretly trained in China, the first known case since the war began

Coverage Timeline

“Slaughterbots” Now: Ukraine’s Head-Hunting Drones Terrify Russians - Forbes

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say - The Straits Times

Exclusive: Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say - Reuters

Reuters: Kina tajno obučavala ruske vojnike za rat u Ukrajini

Chiny potajemnie szkoliły rosyjskich żołnierzy, którzy dziś walczą na Ukrainie

China și implicarea în războiul din Ucraina: militari ruși instruiți în secret de Beijing se întorc să lupte pe front (Reuters)

China trained group of Russian soldiers in 2025 who later went to fight against Ukraine – Reuters

Kinija slapta apmoko rusų karius

Reuters: About 200 Russian troops secretly trained in China, the first known case since the war began

Documente clasificate arată în premieră cum China antrenează soldați ruși trimiși să lupte în Ucraina

Ројтерс: Кина тајно обучувала руски војници за војната во Украина

Kina tajno obučavala ruske vojnike

Reuters: Ρώσοι που εκπαιδεύτηκαν κρυφά από την Κίνα στη χρήση drones, επιστρέφουν για να πολεμήσουν στην Ουκρανία

Ruský mocenský aparát je stabilní. Problém ale způsobí návraty vojáků domů, tvrdí rusista Glanc

Rojters: Kina je obučavala ruske vojnike za borbu protiv Ukrajine

Reuters: Több száz orosz katonát küldtek titokban Kínába kiképzésre

Rojters: Kina je obučavala ruske vojnike za borbu protiv Ukrajine

Reuters: 200 ushtarë rusë stërviten fshehurazi në Kinë për të luftuar në Ukrainë

Documente clasificate arată în premieră cum China antrenează soldați ruși trimiși să lupte în Ucraina

Revelado treino secreto de soldados russos na China

Russians Covertly Trained By China Return To Fight In Ukraine: Reports

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say

Story evolution

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Why this matters

Story evolution

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims4 agreed · 1 unverified

Coverage gaps

Political spectrum

Coverage matrix(22 sources)