Why China is fighting internet war with it 'friend' Russia

Despite public displays of strategic partnerships and mutual non-aggression in cyberspace, China has reportedly been engaged in hacking campaigns against Russia. As reported by the New York Times, some Beijing-backed hacking groups are targeting Russian government agencies and defense firms in order to extract military and defense secrets. This intelligence collecting drive aims to gather information about Russian military operations, particularly its ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as advancements in defense technology and broader geopolitical strategies. One noticeable breach involved a Chinese group posing as a Russian engineering firm to gather data on nuclear submarines. Another attack by Chinese hackers was on Russia’s powerful state-owned defense conglomerate, seeking information on radar and electronic warfare systems. The revelations underscore a pragmatic and often ruthless approach to national interests, even among ostensible allies. While both nations have consistently presented a united front against Western influence and have pledged not to engage in

cyber espionage

against each other, China appears to view Russia as a vulnerable yet valuable target for

intelligence acquisition

.As per the report cyberanalysts suggest that China’s aim is to collect information about Russia’s capabilities and intentions, particularly in light of its military engagement in Ukraine. This kind of information will offer strategic advantages to Beijing and help it in enhancing its own defense planning, technological development and international relations. Along with this, the hacking activities also indicate clear prioritisation of national intelligence over the stated principles of their partnership.

This covert digital intrusion stands in contrast to the public narrative of a "no-limits" friendship between Beijing and Moscow, casting a shadow of distrust over their proclaimed solidarity. While there is no indication of a full-blown "internet war" between the two, the continuous efforts by China to penetrate Russian systems for espionage purposes reveal a hidden layer of competition and suspicion beneath the surface of their cooperative alliance.