Myanmar junta defense minister visits Russia
Amid the Myanmar military’s recent series of defeats in northern Shan State and Rakhine State, junta Defense Minister Tin Aung San went to Russia last week to observe information security management systems, drone and anti-drone technologies, and other modern military equipment.
Tin Aung San, a former admiral, led a junta delegation to the International Military Technical Forum (ARMY 2024) in Moscow, held from August 12-14. During the event, the delegation reviewed military vehicles and advanced weapons systems on display.
The Defense Minister also met with his Russian counterpart, Andrei Belousov. Their discussions covered enhancing cooperation in military technology, sharing views on Myanmar's current situation, and exploring scholarship opportunities for Myanmar soldiers, as reported by junta-controlled media.
Russia has been a key arms supplier to Myanmar's regime, offering diplomatic and sectoral support since the 2021 coup. High-ranking officials from the junta, including Min Aung Hlaing, his deputy Soe Win, and military leader Maung Maung Aye, have also visited Russia.
A 2023 report by UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews, titled "The Billion Dollar Death Trade: International Arms Networks that Enable Human Rights Violations in Myanmar," revealed that the Myanmar military regime imported at least $1 billion worth of weapons and related materials in the two years following the 2021 coup. Of this, more than $400 million, largely for fighter jets, was supplied by Russia.
The junta has also acquired Russian aircraft spare parts, reconnaissance drones, air-to-ground missiles, and military trucks. Despite relying heavily on its air force to suppress widespread resistance, the regime has lost control of over 70 towns.
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