Russian arms and strategies are reshaping Myanmar's conflict, with significant casualties reported from air strikes and infantry tactics.
Russia has become a key defense partner for Myanmar's military government, supplying weapons and tactics that are turning the tide in the ongoing civil war. According to Al Jazeera, Russian-made jets, helicopters, and drones have given the junta a battlefield advantage against rebel groups.
Russian Military Supplies in Action
Myanmar's military has received six Russian Sukhoi Su-30 jets, with the last arriving in December 2024, as reported by conflict monitors. These aircraft, along with other Russian equipment, have been linked to a sharp rise in civilian casualties, with air strikes causing a 52 percent increase in deaths in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The junta has also acquired Russian Mi-38T assault-transport helicopters and various drones, including the Albatross-M5 UAV. These assets enable rapid troop movements and targeted attacks, as stated by Ian Storey, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
In addition to technology, Myanmar's forces are adopting Russian battlefield tactics from Ukraine, such as 'meat assaults'—waves of conscripted soldiers charging enemy lines. Nationwide conscription introduced in 2024 has added nearly 100,000 troops, fueling these operations.
Storey told Al Jazeera that these tactics have led to appalling death tolls, with Russian weapons targeting not only rebels but also civilian sites like schools and hospitals. Conflict data from ACLED shows at least 4,865 deaths from 5,912 air strikes and 366 from 931 drone attacks between February 2021 and March 2026.
Recent incidents highlight the impact: in Bago region, government forces killed at least 30 villagers, mostly in aerial attacks, while in Rakhine state, an air strike on a detention camp killed 116 prisoners of war. Myanmar's closer ties with Russia, including military assistance and deals, stem from the 2021 coup and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The relationship includes Myanmar providing aid to Russia, such as mortar shells and targeting systems for tanks, as detailed in Storey's book. This exchange has intensified, with investments and direct flights resuming, but weapons remain central to the partnership.
Overall, Russian support has escalated the conflict, with ACLED reporting at least 96,000 deaths since the coup. China remains a major influencer in Myanmar, but Russia's role in military matters is increasingly prominent.
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