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The Russian general behind Moscow’s decades-long military courtship of Myanmar
🇲🇲 Myanmar /Conflict & Security

The Russian general behind Moscow’s decades-long military courtship of Myanmar

From Myanmar Now · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A senior Russian general, Col.-Gen. Aleksandr Fomin, has been central to Moscow's two-decade military relationship with Myanmar's armed forces.
  • Fomin's involvement began in 2000, fostering educational exchanges that have trained over 7,000 Myanmar military officers in Russia.
  • This relationship predates Myanmar's 2021 coup, with Russia becoming a key international partner for the ruling junta.

Col.-Gen. Aleksandr Fomin, Russia's deputy defence minister, stands as a pivotal figure in Moscow's enduring military courtship of Myanmar, a relationship spanning over two decades. His influence has been instrumental in cultivating ties between the Russian armed forces and Myanmar's military, a partnership that has deepened significantly since the 2021 coup, transforming Russia into a crucial international ally for the junta.

Victory! Victory! Victory!

— Min Aung Hlaing and Aleksandr FominChanted together at a Buddhist ceremony outside Moscow in July 2022, symbolizing the friendship between Myanmar and Russia.

Fomin's engagement with Myanmar's military began as early as 2000, during the era of military dictatorship under Sen.-Gen. Than Shwe. His initial visit laid the groundwork for what would become a cornerstone of their military cooperation: educational exchanges. Fomin himself stated in a 2021 interview that over 7,000 Myanmar military officers have received advanced training in Russia since the year 2000. This training extends beyond conventional military tactics, encompassing engineering and other technical disciplines at Russian institutions.

The relationship between Fomin and Myanmar's current military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has also evolved over the years. As Min Aung Hlaing ascended through the military ranks, Fomin frequently visited Myanmar, receiving high honors, and Min Aung Hlaing reciprocated with visits to Russia. These exchanges and personal ties gained heightened significance in early 2021, just ten days before the coup, when Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, accompanied by Fomin, made an undisclosed visit to Myanmar's capital, Naypyitaw.

more than 7,000 Myanmar military officers had received advanced education in Russia since 2000.

— Aleksandr FominFomin stating the number of Myanmar military officers trained in Russia.

During that pre-coup visit, the Russian delegation pledged to continue its support for Myanmar's military. The long-standing military relationship, nurtured by Fomin, has provided the Myanmar armed forces with advanced training and technical expertise, enabling capabilities such as the construction of advanced frigates by Myanmar's navy, as noted by Fomin regarding graduates of St. Petersburg's naval engineering programs. This deep-rooted military connection underscores Russia's consistent support for Myanmar's military establishment, irrespective of political changes within the country.

their training had enabled Myanmar’s navy to build advanced frigates.

— Aleksandr FominFomin highlighting the practical outcomes of Russian naval engineering training for Myanmar.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Myanmar Now. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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