Junta-led Myanmar holds joint naval exercise with top arms supplier Russia

General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar's ruling military council, attends the start of the joint naval drills in Yangon, Myanmar, on November 6, 2023. © Myanmar military press service via AP

The military-run Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar is holding its first joint naval exercise with Russia, state media reported Tuesday, with the countries carrying out maneuvers in the Andaman Sea.

Reports in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said that the maritime security exercise with Russia was being held until Thursday, 157 kilometers (85 miles) west of Myeik in Myanmar’s far south. Some Russian navy vessels sailed from Yangon to take part, state television MRTV reported.