Russia and China have significantly expanded military and technological cooperation, with one of their key objectives being the development of capabilities to counter Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network, according to a major investigative report.
According to an article by Michael Weiss, Roman Dobrokhotov and Christo Grozev, published by The Insider, titled “Shooting Starlink: The ‘No Limits’ Partnership Between Russia and China Is Taking Aim at Elon Musk,” confidential documents reveal extensive collaboration spanning satellite warfare, missile defence, artificial intelligence, drones and advanced military aviation.
The investigation is based on internal presentations delivered during a previously undisclosed China-Russia Military-Technical Cooperation Forum in Guangzhou in November 2023, along with a bilateral working protocol signed during secret negotiations in Moscow earlier that year.
According to the report, one presentation prepared by researchers from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) focused entirely on ways to neutralise Starlink, which has become a critical communications network for Ukraine’s military.
The documents reportedly outline a three-stage strategy. The first involves using diplomatic and regulatory channels to limit Starlink’s global expansion by challenging its access to orbital slots and radio frequencies. The second proposes coordinated electronic warfare measures, including joint jamming systems capable of disrupting Starlink services in selected regions. The final stage discusses cyber operations against Starlink terminals and the development of low-cost anti-satellite capabilities designed to physically disable large numbers of satellites in orbit.
The report says Chinese researchers described Starlink as a military asset that provides Ukraine with significant advantages in battlefield communications, navigation and intelligence gathering.
Beyond Starlink, the leaked documents reportedly reveal plans for a jointly developed air and missile defence system capable of intercepting ballistic and hypersonic missiles. According to the investigation, Chinese and Russian defence officials agreed to cooperate on technologies designed to counter emerging long-range precision weapons.
The report also claims the partnership extends to autonomous drone technology, with Russia providing battlefield experience gained during the war in Ukraine while China contributes expertise in artificial intelligence, manufacturing and autonomous systems. The collaboration is also said to cover next-generation armoured vehicles, aviation technology and integrated battlefield command systems.
According to the investigation, Chinese technology is increasingly appearing in Russian military equipment used in Ukraine, while Beijing benefits from observing how its components perform under real combat conditions.
Military analysts quoted in the report argue that the relationship has evolved far beyond political coordination into a structured defence partnership involving joint research, technology sharing and weapons development.
The report further alleges that China has assisted Russia in developing drone production capabilities and communications infrastructure following restrictions on Russian access to Starlink services.
Neither Beijing nor Moscow has publicly acknowledged the alleged projects outlined in the leaked documents. The findings, if accurate, would challenge China’s repeated assertions that it remains neutral in the conflict in Ukraine.
The investigation concludes that the growing Russia-China military partnership is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with cooperation extending into some of the most sensitive areas of modern warfare, including space, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and missile defence.
Source : https://theins.press/en/inv/294635