Story perspectives

Russia, China Hold Joint CBRN Training, EU Warns Sanctions

7/1/2026

Summary

Russia Conducts Joint Training

Russia and China held senior training at PLA facilities in 2025 after Defence Minister Andrei Belousov approved it.
The courses taught Russian officers radiological, biological and chemical defence.
Generals from sides attended, indicating cooperation.
Russian officials denied the reports, with lawmakers rejecting claims of Chinese assistance.
European leaders warned the training could trigger sanctions while China’s Foreign Ministry called the allegations baseless and said it remains neutral on Ukraine war.

Summary

Russia Trains China

Russian report praised the training’s equipment and instructors while flagging China’s lack of combat experience, naming Colonel General Rustam Muradov as head of the delegation.
Major General Li Jinsun opened a course while Russian Major General Vitaly Gerasimov attended another in Bengbu, training 200 Russians, some later deployed to Ukraine.
European officials urged the EU to view China as a decisive enabler of Russia’s war, prompting talks of further measures.

Summary

Putin Approves Training

Vladimir Putin signed off on a secret radiological, chemical, biological and drone-warfare training program, which about 200 Russian troops have completed in China.
Plans call for hundreds of Chinese soldiers to train in Russia, a two-way exchange reinforced during President Xi Jinping’s May visit when the leaders renewed a “friendly cooperation” treaty.
Intelligence sharing now includes details on captured HIMARS, Patriot, Marder and Abrams systems.

History

Historical Context

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was created on 15 June 2001 by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to coordinate security. Its first joint drill, Peace Mission 2003, launched regular exercises that later involved over 4,000 troops in 2007. The 2025 radiological, biological and chemical defence course for 200 Russian officers reflects this long-standing military-cooperation agenda.

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Russia Conducts Joint Training

Russia and China held senior training at PLA facilities in 2025 after Defence Minister Andrei Belousov approved it.
The courses taught Russian officers radiological, biological and chemical defence.
Generals from sides attended, indicating cooperation.
Russian officials denied the reports, with lawmakers rejecting claims of Chinese assistance.
European leaders warned the training could trigger sanctions while China’s Foreign Ministry called the allegations baseless and said it remains neutral on Ukraine war.

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