Myanmar Junta, Russia Agree New Military Alliance

Yangon—Myanmar and Russia have signed a five-year military cooperation pact, Moscow said Tuesday, sealing an alliance analysts say has been crucial to the junta’s grip on power.

Myanmar’s military snatched power in a 2021 coup, triggering a civil war, and has relied on backing from Russia as well as neighboring China to keep its forces stocked.

Airstrikes by Russian-made jets have kept surging rebel factions at bay, while also frequently targeting civilians in attacks some conflict monitors say amount to war crimes.