(Moscow) Russia announced that it would conduct naval military exercises with Burma, a first in the “recent history” of the two countries, during a visit by the head of the Russian navy which began on Friday.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Nikolai Yevmenov, “started his working visit” to Burma, the Russian Defense Ministry announced in a press release.
His program includes “participation in the opening ceremony of the first Russian-Burmese naval exercise in recent history” and a visit to the “warships” taking part, according to Moscow.
The exact date of these exercises has not been communicated.
He is also due to meet Burmese leaders during this trip which aims to “strengthen naval cooperation” between the two countries, the ministry said.
The visit comes as fighting rages in northern Burma, near the Chinese border, following a coordinated offensive by ethnic minority groups last week.
This conflict represents a threat of an unprecedented order for the army since the 2021 coup d’état against Aung San Suu Kyi.
Moscow is a valuable ally for the junta that seized power in the Southeast Asian country in a coup in 2021, providing it with arms and diplomatic support.
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing met Russian President Vladimir Putin last year during one of his many trips to Russia since taking power, and the Myanmar military called the move “justified.” Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.