Russian navy ships arrive in Myanmar for joint drills
A group of Russian navy ships arrived in war-torn Myanmar to join maritime exercises with the military junta's navy, Myanmar state media said on Monday.
The Global New Light of Myanmar reported that four corvettes and a logistics vessel from Russia's Pacific Fleet reached the Thilawa port in Yangon on Sunday. These vessels are set to participate in the 'second Myanmar-Russia joint maritime security exercise.'
The report mentioned that the Russian ships would engage in 'harbour phase' exercises, though no further details were provided.
Additionally, on Sunday, Myanmar’s military government announced plans for a live-fire maritime security drill in the northern Andaman Sea, scheduled from October 20 to 24. Fishing vessels and aircraft were advised to avoid the area, though it was not clear if Russian forces would be involved in this specific exercise.
Both navies conducted a joint drill in the Andaman Sea in November of last year.
Russia, along with China, remains a key ally of Myanmar’s military government, offering both military hardware and diplomatic backing as the junta faces resistance from armed opposition groups.
Under growing pressure on the ground, the junta has increasingly turned to its air force, which includes Russian Sukhoi Su-30s, MiG-29s, and Yak aircraft, according to analysts.
Since leading the 2021 coup, Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing has made several visits to Russia, including a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in 2022.
.png "Advertisement")
