China is now described as an adversary within a leaked FSB intelligence memo, revealing a sharp conflict that could destabilize their “no limits” alliance and reshape global power dynamics.
At a Glance
- A leaked FSB memo brands China “the enemy” and warns of rampant Beijing-led espionage targeting Russia’s military and scientific sectors.
- The eight-page document, dated late 2023 or early 2024, was obtained through the Ares Leaks platform and authenticated by Western intelligence.
- Allegations include Chinese recruitment of Russian scientists and the theft of data on drones, Arctic strategy, and Ukraine-related operations.
- The memo underscores deep mistrust despite record $240 billion trade and high-profile diplomatic unity between Moscow and Beijing.
- Russia’s counterintelligence posture may now shift sharply to address Beijing’s covert threats—despite public professions of friendship.
Shadowed Trust
A confidential Federal Security Service memo has surfaced, marking a stunning pivot in Russia’s internal threat assessment: China is now labeled “the enemy.” The document, reportedly composed in late 2023 or early 2024 and leaked via the Ares Leaks platform, warns of growing Chinese espionage targeting military secrets, Arctic strategy, and research tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Chinese operatives allegedly infiltrate Russian institutions through academic and commercial channels, poaching scientists and accessing restricted information.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping continue to tout a “no limits” partnership, this memo reveals that Moscow’s security elite increasingly view their closest economic ally as a strategic threat. The discrepancy between public unity and private alarm signals a potentially unstable foundation in the Russia-China relationship.
Operational Implications
The memo’s fallout has already spurred reported changes in FSB operations, including intensified vetting procedures and heightened internal surveillance to blunt Chinese intelligence collection. The document echoes longstanding but unspoken Kremlin fears about China’s encroachment, particularly in the Russian Far East and Arctic—areas where Beijing seeks strategic expansion.
Despite these concerns, Russia’s dependency on China is growing. Trade between the two soared to $240 billion in 2023, with Beijing serving as Moscow’s chief buyer of oil and coal and a vital source of semiconductors and financial infrastructure. That economic lifeline complicates any overt security decoupling, even as intelligence agencies quietly rebalance their focus.
Watch a report: Leaked FSB memo labels China as ‘enemy’ and spies on Russia.
A Fracturing Alliance
The memo deepens existing contradictions within the Putin-Xi alliance. On one hand, Russia and China continue joint military drills, diplomatic summits, and economic integration. On the other, Russia’s national security apparatus is preparing for a future in which China may act more as competitor than comrade. For Beijing, the public fallout from this leak could strain back-channel coordination and undercut efforts to stabilize its northern flank.
For the West, the rift offers a rare diplomatic opening. If Moscow deepens its mistrust and redirects resources away from confronting NATO, it could temporarily soften Russia’s geopolitical posture—while exposing China’s broader espionage tactics to international scrutiny. Whether this tension triggers a realignment or simply festers under the surface remains to be seen, but the age of unqualified Sino-Russian harmony may be coming to an end.
