Myanmar: Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing visits Russia

Following the coup staged by Myanmar’s military in February 2021, sanctions were pressed on the junta, which is seeking to be recognized by the international community as the legitimate government. The junta’s leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is reportedly visiting Russia and meeting with its nuclear and space agencies.

Reuters reports that coup leader Min Aung Hlaing is visiting Russia, according to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti Tuesday. Min Aung Hlaing is reportedly planning to meet with the head of Russia’s space agency ROCOSMOS and the officials from Russia’s Rosatom nuclear agency.

Russia’s defense ministry later said Monday that both countries are going to strengthen their defense cooperation following a meeting with Myanmar’s coup leader with top Russian defense officials. The ministry issued a statement saying the meeting took place that day and that Min Aung Hlaing was in Russia for a private visit.

“The meeting…confirmed the mutual disposition to consistently build up multifaceted cooperation between the military departments of the two countries,” said the statements.

This also comes as United Nations Human Rights expert Thomas Andrews said back in February that Moscow supplied Myanmar’s military with drones, two types of fighter jets, and two kinds of armored vehicles, one of which had defense systems.

Myanmar remains in a state of civil unrest since its generals seized power from the country’s democratically-elected government, ousting leader Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to protests against the regime. The military has since staged a brutal crackdown on the protests, killing hundreds and detaining thousands.

The United Nations previously said that its probes showed that the junta has committed mass killings and crimes against humanity. The junta claimed that it was attempting to seek peace and order to justify its bloody crackdowns.

Previously, Reuters reported that the junta is also rolling out surveillance camera systems with facial recognition features in more areas in the country, according to people familiar with the matter.

In the tenders to obtain and install security cameras and facial recognition technology, the plans are being described as safe city projects that aim to maintain security and preserve civil peace.

Camera surveillance projects have been launched since the coup in February 2021 for at least five cities, including the country’s fourth-largest city Mawlamyine.