How Russia's Military Tactics Reshape Myanmar's Civil War

As the war in Ukraine rages on, the reverberations of Russia's military tactics and strategies are being felt far beyond Europe's borders. In Myanmar, the Russian influence on the country's ongoing civil conflict is becoming increasingly apparent, from the types of weaponry being used to the combat techniques being deployed by the military junta.

Since the 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected government, Myanmar's military, known as the Tatmadaw, has been engaged in a bloody crackdown against pro-democracy forces. And in this fight, the Tatmadaw has increasingly turned to tactics and equipment that bear the hallmarks of the Russian military's approach in Ukraine.

One of the most visible signs of this Russian influence is the aircraft being used by the Tatmadaw. Helicopters and fighter jets purchased from Russia have been a mainstay of the junta's air campaign against civilian populations and rebel groups alike. These Russian-made planes have been used to conduct airstrikes and troop transport missions, often in support of ground offensives.

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But the Russian influence extends beyond just the hardware. The tactics employed by the Tatmadaw are also increasingly reminiscent of those used by Russian forces in Ukraine. This includes the use of waves of conscripts in what have been dubbed