China Rising: Alleged Chinese Advisors at Saratov

By Bellendcat

Saratov Oblast in Russia has seen its fair share of conflict over the past several years. Shelling, offensives and a war of attrition involving the Russian military and its militias, and Ukranian troops which are occasionally backed by NATO allies. Thousands of civilians were displaced and forced to flee the conflict.

Fighting from the Ukranian front poured over into Russian territory when a Ukranian unit with advanced weaponry and training staged an attack on the strategically important oblast, as it was lightly guarded and makes for a perfect staging area to Moscow. Now the war has lagged on for several years.

There is photographic evidence of Chinese advisors who are found embedded with Russian forces. China has had historically close ties with Russia, which ended temporarily during Mao’s tenure as Chairman. Both Moscow and Beijing have no plans to make an official military alliance, however, both nations often partake in joint military exercises with other countries such as Iran.

Certain members of Russia’s MVD, their internal security apparatus, as well as their FSB special forces wear woodland style camouflage attire. In these photographs, the alleged Chinese advisor is wearing what appears to be Chinese Type 87 woodland camouflage which was issued before their digital camouflages were introduced. Woodland camouflages, similar to those used by Russia, is a logical choice for blending with local forces. The vest he is wearing also resembles a Type 87 rig, with buckles that appear similar.

Possibly the most telling piece of evidence supporting the fact that this is a Chinese advisor is the QBZ-97 rifle, the export variant of the PLA standard issue QBZ-95-1 chambered in the more available 5.56 x 45mm cartridge. The rifle also takes AR-style STANAG magazines. Russian forces have minimal increments of AR pattern rifles which were captured during the Russo-Georgian war of 2008 or commerically acquired. Russia also has supply of 5.56 x 45mm that the Chinese advisor can use. The patch is also a match for the joint China-Russia military exercise patch.

Interestingly enough, the advisor in question was documented as meeting with a British Army liaison. It is unclear what was discussed, however, NATO countries have openly trained and advised the primarily Ukranian contingent against Russia.

Wu Qian, the spokesperson for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, stated that he has “No recollection” of Chinese advisors send abroad to Russia or elsehwere. “The only time we went abroad is to train with partner forces such as in Venezuela, or as peacekeeping forces.”, he further added.

In any case, the posturing of Chinese advisors, whether in a direct or advisor role in tbe conflict, singnals China’s aims to be a larger power broker in the international stage.