In the weeks that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there was widespread reporting that Moscow would soon employ thousands of Syrian soldiers on the Ukrainian battlefield. Others pointed to China’s potential to provide significant economic or military support to Russia, after the two sides announced an “unlimited partnership” in early February. However, the Syrian troops never materialised and China has been shy about becoming involved in Russia’s military quagmire, even voicing “concerns” about the conflict at a meeting in September with Russian President Vladimir Put…