YANGOON: The head of Russia’s navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, recently engaged in a significant meeting with Myanmar’s junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, in preparation for joint naval exercises set to commence on Tuesday.
These exercises mark the first collaborative drills between the two nations, both of which have faced tensions with Western countries. Taking place in the Andaman Sea and scheduled to run until Thursday, the security exercises will involve Russia’s Pacific Fleet and Myanmar’s navy, with contributions from ships and aircraft.
The drills aim to simulate various scenarios, including the prevention of air, water surface, and underwater threats, as well as maritime security measures. Admiral Yevmenov took the opportunity to brief Min Aung Hlaing on the capabilities of the Russian destroyer Admiral Tributs, which served as the backdrop for their meeting.
Russia has established itself as a staunch ally of the Myanmar junta, offering arms and diplomatic backing as the country’s military struggles to quell armed opposition to its rule. Notably, the junta has publicly supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a similar display of collaboration, Myanmar and Russia co-chaired a “counterterrorism” military exercise held in Russia’s Far East in September. This event brought together several countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Since seizing power in February 2021, the junta has imported arms and equipment worth $406 million from Russia. This information was revealed by the United Nations’ special rapporteur for Myanmar in May. Min Aung Hlaing has made multiple visits to Russia since the coup, including a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in the previous year, cementing the growing ties between the two nations.
