Myanmar continues to receive military support from Russia

Myanmar’s military continues to receive support from arms suppliers in Russia as the southeast Asian country’s armed forces intensify a crackdown on civilians and those opposing to its rule.

Two high-ranking police officers, who have resigned from their position to become the latest to join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) against military rule, confirmed that military cooperation has continued between the two countries.

They said Russia and Myanmar signed a military-technical cooperation in 2018.They said that under the deal, Myanmar had to deploy some volunteer soldiers for Russia to participate in the ongoing Ukrainian- Russian war. The ex-officers said Myanmar’s military junta also used Russian fighter jets to destroy resistance forces.

They added the military used Russian-made MI-35 helicopters, jet fighters, submarines and other military Russian equipment to launch airstrikes in Myanmar, mainly in multiple ethnic states like Sagaing, Karenni, Kayin, leaving a lot of people killed and wounded.

The ex-senior officials went on to say that Russia and Myanmar have a close and very important relationship with Russia providing scholarships to Myanmar students.