Russia’s main security service, the FSB, appears to have branded China as “an enemy” in a remarkable attack that raises questions about Moscow’s relationship with Beijing. Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping hailed their “no-limits” friendship in February 2022, days before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
China’s President claimed relations between the two states had “strong internal driving force and unique strategic value”. Ever since, Moscow and Beijing have expanded military and trade ties, in defiance of Western sanctions and criticism. In May this year, Xi reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Putin’s Russia during a visit to Moscow to attend the Victory Day celebrations. However, under the surface, the relationship doesn’t seem as strong as the two leaders make it look.
A leaked memo believed to be from the FSB appears to show deep distrust and anger growing within the ranks of Russia’s intelligence community.
The memo, The New York Times reports, brands China as “the enemy” and accuses Beijing of espionage, military theft and harbouring territorial ambitions in Russia’s Siberia.
According to the intelligence report, Chinese agents are targeting Russian military know-how – in particular on drones and aviation systems.
They are even reportedly accused of attempting to gain information about long-discontinued Soviet projects like the ekranoplan – this was a unique type of transport that combined features of both airplanes and ships.
The Soviet Union heavily explored the potential of ekranoplans, particularly during the Cold War.
The Lun-class ekranoplan became the only one ever operationally deployed as a warship, earning the nickname “Caspian Sea Monster” due to its size and speed.
Some of this interest may be for technology transfer, but some may also be laying the groundwork for China’s own military-industrial expansion.
At the same time, Beijing is expanding its influence across Central Asia and the Arctic, traditionally seen by Moscow as its sphere of influence.
The FSB also appears to be increasingly concerned that Beijing harbours expansionist ambitions in Russia’s Siberia.
Chinese maps have begun to use old Chinese place names for parts of Siberia. FSB officers are now reportedly tasked with tracking “revanchist” narratives among Chinese academics, and warning Russians involved in joint research.
Commenting on the memo, a fierce Putin critic Mikhail Khordokovsky noted: “This is not a real alliance, but a slow drift into the role of junior partner to a power that neither respects nor trusts Russia.
“Putin sold the war on Ukraine a step toward greatness, but has delivered only dependency, stagnation and quiet colonisation.”