Leaked classified documents suggest that Russian soldiers have received training in biological and chemical warfare at a People's Liberation Army (PLA) military base in Beijing, with the approval of President Vladimir Putin. The files, seen by Reuters, include images of Russian troops being lectured by a Chinese instructor in front of a model of a nuclear reactor, covering topics such as chemical and radiation reconnaissance and protecting ventilation systems from contamination.
Training Details and Scale
Approximately 200 Russian personnel have already undergone drone warfare training in China, while hundreds of Chinese troops have been sent to Russia. The leaked documents indicate that the training was personally authorized by Putin, further straining China's claims of neutrality in the Ukraine war. China's foreign ministry dismissed the allegations as "entirely unfounded" and "nothing but smears."
International Reactions
A European official told Reuters that training for such warfare underscores the strategic nature of the exchanges, noting the sensitivity of the topic for militaries. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas stated, "We are carefully assessing the implications." Last month, Brussels confirmed the training had taken place and is evaluating its consequences.
Broader Context: NATO Tensions
New analysis from the Dutch defence ministry warns that Putin could initiate a war with NATO less than a year after ending the invasion of Ukraine. The annual defence policy strategy document describes Europe as being in a "grey area" between war and peace. It states, "In the worst-case scenario, a limited war against NATO members could be possible within one year of the Russian war in Ukraine ending. The Dutch intelligence services estimate that Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation with Europe." The document also reveals that the Dutch Ministry of Defence aims to use unmanned systems for more than half of all operational effects within five years.
