Recent research from the Australian Institute of Strategic Policy (ASPI) and Radio Free Europe (RFE) reveals that China’s Defense University has significantly stepped up collaborations with Russian institutions. These efforts seem aimed at obtaining skills and knowledge likely restricted by international sanctions related to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
ASPI and RFE reported that out of 68 universities officially associated with China’s military industrial sector, many have deepened ties with Russian entities since 2019.
“These universities are connected to China’s defense or vital technology sectors. This could inadvertently bolster Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine through access to innovation that circumvents Western sanctions,” experts noted.
Furthermore, it was stated that the extensive partnership, termed the 2022 No-limits Partnership, has been reaffirmed multiple times since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
ASPI’s findings indicate that defense-related cooperation between China and Russia has surged since the invasion, particularly in technologies that have both civil and military uses.
Interestingly, Russian technology has at times aided China, especially in aircraft engine development, an area where China has traditionally faced challenges. The partnership with Russia is thus seen as crucial for China’s technological advancements.
Some collaborations are overtly tied to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. For instance, Peter The Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University recently initiated a joint training program with Xi’an Technological University, a key player in China’s defense education. Russian universities are closely linked to the war, especially in drone technology, with China’s assistance helping them escape stringent U.S. and European Union sanctions.
“Russia has found that institutions in Ukraine and China can operate somewhat independently from Western scientific research, particularly in light of new U.S. restrictions,” indicated one analysis.
In June, the European Police Analysis Centre (CEPA) mentioned that the military collaboration between Russia and China remains just below the threshold of a full military alliance.
CEPA highlighted that Russia lost considerable military capacity after annexing Crimea in 2014, quickly compensating for those losses through partnerships with China that brought in advanced military technology and resources.
According to CEPA, “As of early 2025, Beijing has become a critical aspect of Russia’s continued military endeavors against Ukraine.”
China, however, is cautious about this relationship, aiming to maintain its strategic autonomy and avoid a situation that could provoke conflict with the West, as well as potential sanctions.
The U.S. Army War University Strategic Research Institute (SSI) noted that in September 2024, China seized the opportunity to enhance its military prowess by integrating Russian technology, recognizing that Russia was likely to offer military assets at significantly reduced prices in exchange for China’s diplomatic support and economic assistance.
According to SSI, “Russia is assisting China in building an early warning system for missile threats, and both are collaborating on the development of heavy lift helicopters, traditional attack submarines, and missiles,” adding that the most significant concern might arise from China acquiring Russian submarine technology.
