YANGON - 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 Oct 21.

       Four corvettes and a logistics vessel from Russia’s Pacific Fleet arrived at Thilawa port in Yangon on Oct 20 “to join the second Myanmar-Russia joint maritime security exercise”, the Global New Light of Myanmar said.

       The Russian ships will conduct “harbour phase” exercises, the newspaper said, without giving details.

       On Oct 20, the junta announced it would hold a live-fire maritime security exercise in the waters of the north Andaman Sea from Oct 20 to Oct 24.

       It warned fishing boats and aircraft not to travel around the area but did not say if any Russian ships or personnel were taking part in that exercise.

       Both navies held a combined drill in the Andaman Sea in November 2023.

       Along with China, Moscow is a close ally of the Myanmar junta, providing arms and diplomatic support as Myanmar’s military struggles to crush armed opposition to its rule.

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       With its ground troops under pressure, the junta is increasingly relying on its air force that includes Russian Sukhoi Su-30s, MiG-29s and Yak planes, analysts say.

       Junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing has travelled to Russia several times since leading the 2021 coup, including for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in 2022.

       Russia has said it backs the generals’ plan for new elections and the junta has in turn supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, describing it as “justified”.

       The United States has said any elections under the junta would be a “sham”, while analysts say polls would be targeted by the military’s opponents and spark further bloodshed.

       In August, the junta’s other major ally China said it supported the military’s plans for elections.

       Earlier in October, sources close to the military told AFP that Gen Min Aung Hlaing would travel to China in November in what would be his first known trip there since the coup. AFP