Le Figaro: China Did Indeed Train Russian Soldiers For The War In Ukraine

• 13.06.2026, 12:36

We're talking about hundreds of military personnel.

The European Union has evidence that China has trained Russian military personnel, including in the use of drones. This is reported by the newspaper Le Figaro.

According to a high-ranking EU official, hundreds of soldiers were involved, some of whom later ended up fighting in the war against Ukraine.

“It has been confirmed that China trained Russian soldiers, some of whom were then sent directly to the war against Ukraine,” he said.


The official claims that the training of Russian military personnel took place at several locations in China. He also stated that this information differs from what the Chinese side had previously reported to the European Union.

According to the German newspaper Die Welt, which did not name the European intelligence services behind these revelations, several hundred Russian soldiers participated in training programs for the People’s Liberation Army of China at six different military facilities in China in late 2025.

“These programs covered the use of unmanned systems, electronic warfare against drones, and modern combat simulations,” the newspaper continued.

It is noted that the participants held various ranks and were from different generations. Some were members of “Rubicon,” a Russian elite unit specializing in drones. According to Die Welt, after completing their training, dozens of them took part in combat operations in Ukraine in early 2026, with some holding command positions.