Myanmar and Russia Forge Strategic Military Alliance Amid Ongoing Turmoil

Russia and Myanmar have formalized a five-year military cooperation agreement, as reported by state media on Tuesday, solidifying an alliance that experts believe is vital to the junta’s hold on power.

Following the military coup in Myanmar in 2021 that ignited a civil war, the junta has sought support from both Russia and neighboring China to ensure its armed forces remain well-equipped.

The Russian Defense Ministry revealed details of the new military agreement after Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu’s visit to Myanmar on Monday, according to the state-affiliated news agency TASS. This agreement is set to extend until 2030.

«Russia is fully behind the Myanmar leadership’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity while bolstering national sovereignty and security,» Shoigu stated to junta representatives, as per TASS.

«You can rely completely on Moscow’s extensive support, including on the international stage,» Shoigu added.

Myanmar’s state media confirmed the pact aimed at «enhancing defense cooperation,» but offered limited specifics regarding its contents.

The junta recently wrapped up a month-long election, presenting it as a step towards democracy and a pathway to peace after five years of military dominance and civil unrest.

However, the election faced restrictions in large areas controlled by rebel groups and garnered widespread international criticism for excluding imprisoned democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, which had emerged victorious in the 2020 elections.