Kathrine Frich
At the heart of Moscow’s anxiety is the potential annexation of Russia’s Far Eastern territories.
At the heart of Moscow’s anxiety is the potential annexation of Russia’s Far Eastern territories.
Xi and Putin: United Front or Fragile Facade?
Although China and Russia publicly tout a “no-limits” friendship, a newly leaked Russian intelligence memo suggests otherwise.
The document reveals deep unease within Russia’s security establishment, casting China as a covert adversary rather than a strategic partner.
Leaked Memo from Russia’s FSB Sends Shockwaves
An eight-page internal report from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) paints a stark picture of growing mistrust toward China.
Compiled by a little-known intelligence unit in late 2023 or early 2024, the memo reportedly brands China “the enemy” and warns of escalating espionage threats.
Fear of a Far East Land Grab
At the heart of Moscow’s anxiety is the potential annexation of Russia’s Far Eastern territories.
The FSB fears that China could be setting the stage to reclaim historical lands chiefly Vladivostok, through diplomatic influence, intelligence operations, and cultural reassertion.
Historical Grievances Still Simmer
The tension dates back to the 1860 Treaty of Peking, when the Qing Dynasty ceded Vladivostok to Russia.
Chinese nationalists have never accepted the legitimacy of that treaty, and the FSB believes Beijing is exploiting this historical sore point to revive territorial claims.
China Rebrands Vladivostok with Chinese Names
In 2023, Beijing’s Ministry of Natural Resources quietly instructed that new maps label Vladivostok and seven other Russian cities with their original Chinese names.
Russian officials reportedly saw this as a blatant act of soft territorial aggression.
Espionage Worries Mount Inside the Kremlin
According to the memo, Chinese agents have attempted to infiltrate Russian military and strategic infrastructure.
This includes sensitive sites in the Arctic and Far East, highlighting fears of Beijing’s interest in resources and logistics hubs in those regions.
China’s Arctic Ambitions Add to Russian Unease
Russia has long considered the Arctic a core part of its strategic future.
However, the FSB now suspects China is maneuvering to gain leverage in Arctic routes and resources, further feeding fears of encirclement and strategic vulnerability.
Deepening Military Cooperation Now Under Suspicion
Even military joint exercises and weapons deals between Moscow and Beijing are now viewed through a suspicious lens.
The FSB fears these partnerships provide cover for intelligence-gathering and positioning for future leverage.
Could This Be the End of the Sino-Russian Romance?
The FSB memo raises real questions about how long the Moscow-Beijing partnership can hold.
If these suspicions grow, we could see major geopolitical realignments, especially if the trust deficit becomes irreparable.