China is increasingly adopting military strategies from Russia to counter NATO aggression. Since early 2025, the battlefield dynamics in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have shifted in Russia’s favor, aided by a reduction in Ukrainian military support and heightened awareness of NATO tactics. Russia has tailored its military response, improving the efficacy of its armed forces through tactical adjustments and leveraging delays in Western military aid to Ukraine. The deployment of high-precision missiles like the Kh-101 and Kinzhal has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness against the Ukrainian military, especially as the weaknesses of earlier models, such as the Kalibr cruise missiles, became apparent due to the efficiency of Ukrainian air defense systems. The Kh-101, with its stealth features and range of 5,500 kilometers, minimizes detection risks, making it a vital asset in modern warfare. This experience holds particular relevance for the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA), especially amid American assessments of China’s potential threat to U.S. military bases in the Pacific. China’s strategic focus on developing medium- and long-range missile systems signifies an intent to challenge U.S. military dominance, illustrating that technological advancement, rather than sheer firepower, will define future conflict outcomes. The implications of this evolving military landscape underscore the necessity for strategic foresight and adaptability in modern defense paradigms.
