28-3-2024 (MOSCOW) The armed forces of Russia and Myanmar are poised to strengthen their military cooperation, with plans to engage in more than 50 joint activities throughout the year, according to a report by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, citing the Russian Defence Ministry.
The joint endeavours, spanning a wide range of operational and combat training exercises, underscore the deepening ties between the two nations, which have faced increasing isolation and condemnation from the West over their respective actions in Ukraine and Myanmar.
The report comes on the heels of Myanmar’s receipt of the first shipment of two Russian Su-30 fighter jets in September last year, a testament to the growing military partnership between the two countries. Moreover, RIA Novosti revealed that Russia and Myanmar had signed a contract in September 2022 for the delivery of six additional Su-30SME fighter jets, further bolstering Myanmar’s air combat capabilities.
The burgeoning military cooperation between Russia and Myanmar has drawn sharp criticism from the United States, which has warned that Russia’s backing for Myanmar’s military rulers is unacceptable and destabilising. The supply of weapons and military support from Russia is seen as fueling the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, a situation that has spiraled into a catastrophe for the Southeast Asian country.
As the planned joint activities take shape, concerns mount over the potential implications for regional stability and human rights in Myanmar. The military junta, which seized power in a coup in February 2021, has faced widespread condemnation for its brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and the escalating violence against ethnic minorities.
Russia’s unwavering support for the Myanmar regime, coupled with the planned military cooperation, threatens to exacerbate the already volatile situation in the country. Critics argue that the influx of Russian weapons and training could embolden the military’s repressive tactics, further entrenching the junta’s grip on power and prolonging the suffering of the Burmese people.
