Russia's Secret Concerns Over Growing Ties with China

An internal F.S.B. document highlights a secret wariness among Russian security forces towards China, indicating potential threats to national security as the two nations grow closer.

In a striking contradiction to President Vladimir V. Putin's public assurances of an unwavering friendship with China, security officials within Russia’s domestic intelligence agency, the F.S.B., are voicing serious concerns about the implications of this burgeoning alliance. Following a recent meeting between China’s Xi Jinping and Putin, which celebrated their strategic partnership, a clandestine F.S.B. unit has branded the Chinese as a potential "enemy," emphasizing the deep mistrust under the surface.

This internal agency communication reveals a multitude of threats that Russian intelligence associates with China. Officials within the F.S.B. have articulated fears that China is actively working to recruit Russian spies and gain access to sensitive military technology. Concerns are also raised regarding Chinese interest in monitoring Russian military operations in Ukraine, which could provide critical insights into Western military capabilities and tactics.

Moreover, the intelligence agents warn that Chinese academics may be laying the groundwork for territorial claims over parts of Russia. Espionage activities are reportedly being conducted in the Arctic region, with mining firms and academic institutions being used as covers for such operations.

This anxiety is encapsulated in an eight-page planning document from the F.S.B., recently obtained by The New York Times, which outlines priorities for countering Chinese espionage. Although undated, contextual analysis suggests it was drafted in late 2023 or early 2024. The document serves as a stark reminder of the duality in Russian-Chinese relations, where public camaraderie contrasts sharply with underlying fears of betrayal.