Russian influence detected in Myanmars ongoing civil conflict

Here is a rewritten version of the article in a neutral newsroom style:

Russia’s Military Presence in Myanmar Continues to Grow

The Russian military has been providing significant support to Myanmar’s government, which has helped turn the tide in the ongoing civil war. The conflict, now in its sixth year, has resulted in an estimated 96,000 deaths since the coup in 2021.

Russian-supplied airpower, intelligence, and battlefield tactics have played a key role in the military’s success. Moscow has emerged as Myanmar’s most important defense partner, according to Ian Storey, senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Storey notes that Russian-made jets, helicopters, and drones have given the military a decisive edge on the battlefield. The military has also adopted Russia’s “meat assaults” tactics, which involve waves of infantry thrown at enemy defensive lines with little regard for casualties.

Nationwide conscription, introduced in 2024, has swollen Myanmar’s army ranks by nearly 100,000 soldiers, providing the human cannon fodder needed for these tactics. The military’s use of Russian-supplied equipment and tactics has been widely reported, including the use of mortar shells and targeting systems for tanks.

Investment deals have also been signed between Russia and Myanmar, including a proposed nuclear power plant. Direct flights have resumed after a 30-year hiatus, further solidifying the relationship between the two countries.

The conflict monitoring group ACLED reports that air attacks were the leading cause of civilian casualties in Myanmar in 2025, with deaths from aerial raids rising by 52 percent compared to the previous year. Drone attacks also resulted in significant losses, with at least 366 reported deaths recorded during a six-month period.

Russia has supplied munitions, drones, and anti-drone systems to Myanmar’s military, which has waged an increasingly violent campaign against adversaries and civilians alike. The Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 jets have been identified as the military regime’s most formidable aircraft, with witness accounts of Russian personnel servicing the aircraft in Myanmar.

The United Nations reports that air attacks were responsible for at least 4,865 reported deaths between February 1, 2021, and March 13, 2026. Drone attacks also resulted in significant losses, with at least 366 reported deaths recorded during the same period.

Source: Al Jazeera