Russia and Myanmar start first maritime exercises

Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing, centre, saluting Russian sailors before the two countries' joint maritime exercises [Myanmar Military Information Team via AFP]

Myanmar coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has met Russia’s navy chief as the two countries prepared to hold their first ever joint maritime exercises off Myanmar’s Andaman coast.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, in a front-page report, showed Min Aung Hlaing saluting an honour guard of Russian sailors from Moscow’s Pacific Fleet.