The officials said the involvement of such high-ranking individuals in training linked to theUkraine war signalled the importance for Russia and China of such cooperation, which has caused alarm in Europe even as Beijing has denied it took place.

A classified Russian document seen by Reuters directly referred to an internal decree issued by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov in August, 2025.

It said that, in accordance with a decision by Belousov, a delegation from Russia's armed forces travelled to China to participate in training exercises at People's Liberation Army (PLA) facilities.

The same report detailed one of the training courses - a three-week session focused on radiological, chemical and biological protection at a military facility in Beijing in November.

The report and a second one described and displayed images of Russian soldiers being lectured by a Chinese instructor, looking at a model nuclear reactor, and being taught about "chemical reconnaissance", "radiation reconnaissance" and protecting ventilation systems from contamination.

The inclusion of radiological, biological and chemical warfare training underlined the strategic nature of the exchanges, one of the European officials said, noting that the topic was particularly sensitive for militaries in general.

The defence ministries of Russia and China did not respond to requests for comment for this article.

China's foreign ministry said in a statement that its stance on the Ukraine crisis had remained consistent.

"The relevant allegations are entirely unfounded," it added, referring to details contained in this report.

Beijing says it is neutral ​in Russia's war with Ukraine, and presents itself as a peace mediator.

According to a Reuters report last month citing European intelligence agencies and military documents, China in November trained around 200 Russian military personnel, some of whom have since joined the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin declined to comment on that report, but complained about "false information" published in the West.

Russia has accrued extensive experience in more than four years of combat in Ukraine, while China, with a vast and technologically advanced military, has not fought a war in decades.

Internal Russian military reports seen by Reuters noted strengths and weaknesses in the training.

One report on the training in Nanjing praised the standard of the equipment, the use of simulators and the instructors' high theoretical knowledge while specifically noting China's lack of combat experience.

Other documents named three generals who took part.

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