A confidential document from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), leaked by hacker group Ares Leaks and verified by Western intelligence agencies, reveals that Russia privately considers China a significant espionage threat—despite their public alliance. The eight-page memo, reportedly authored in late 2023 or early 2024 by the FSB’s 7th Service, labels China as “the enemy” and accuses it of recruiting Russian scientists and military experts, exploiting wartime vulnerabilities, and spying on Russian military activity in Ukraine and Arctic development projects.
The FSB claims Chinese intelligence has used WeChat for surveillance, targeted Russians with Chinese spouses, and deployed academic and commercial fronts to gather sensitive information. It also warns that China may be laying the groundwork for future territorial claims in the Russian Far East, citing efforts to revive historical ties to regions like Vladivostok through soft power and map publications.
In response, Russia launched a secret counterintelligence program called Entente-4 in early 2022 to monitor and contain Chinese espionage. However, the memo stresses caution—officers are told not to publicly name China as a threat to avoid damaging bilateral ties. Russia is also reportedly feeding positive, controlled intelligence to Chinese agents to influence Beijing’s view of the Ukraine war and maintain its support.
While Moscow relies heavily on China for trade and geopolitical backing, the FSB document reflects deep internal mistrust. Analysts, including Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Endowment, suggest Russia sees the relationship as high-risk but necessary under current global pressures.
