Myanmar has begun clearing land for Russian projects
Russia and Myanmar are deepening their economic and political ties amid the country’s civil war. While Russian President Vladimir Putin negotiates with military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on large-scale Russian investments, the Myanmar military is conducting a crackdown near the city of Dawei, where it plans to establish a special economic zone.
Hundreds of soldiers are attempting to displace the local population from areas designated for the Russian-backed special economic zone. Resistance fighters and a local activist told the publication that the military is burning villages and blocking off surrounding areas.
The special economic zone in the Dawei area is expected to include a deep-water port and a power plant. This week, Min Aung Hlaing discussed the project’s development with Putin during a visit to Moscow.
The Russian president stated that Russian companies are ready to invest in energy and extractive projects.
“On the agenda is the joint construction of a power plant and an oil refinery in southern Myanmar. Russian companies are also ready to participate in geological exploration and hydrocarbon production, including offshore,” Putin said.
The offshore gas field is located approximately 45 kilometers from the future port.
According to two Reuters sources, a military operation near Dwe began back in July.
Following the military coup, the civil war in Myanmar has resulted in massive casualties. According to estimates cited in the article, about 100,000 people have been killed, and another 3.5 million have been forced to flee their homes.
Local resistance forces claim that the military is advancing in columns across the territory and “cleansing” populated areas.
“The military is advancing in columns and clearing out areas. Some villages and houses have been burned down,” Sau Da Ko of the Tanintharyi Region People’s Defense Forces told Reuters.
Another resistance representative, Min Lwin Oo of the Committee for Democracy, stated:
“They are entering the region and, having received reinforcements from the navy, are attacking villages located in the area where the deep-water seaport project is being implemented.”
Russia is actively developing relations with Min Aung Hlaing, who heads Myanmar’s military government. He had previously been accused of involvement in the persecution of the Rohingya people, and in 2021, he led a military coup in the country.
During a meeting with Hlaing, Putin stated that Russia and Myanmar are united by “truly strong bonds of friendship,” which form the basis for the development of economic cooperation.
According to a Reuters source familiar with Moscow’s position, the special economic zone project could give Russia broader access to Southeast Asian markets and secure a presence in ports in the Indian Ocean region.
At the same time, the source emphasized that the risks of doing business in Myanmar remain very high.
Following the talks, Russia and Myanmar signed 12 agreements. Among them is a declaration on joint countermeasures against sanctions, aimed at “mitigating and compensating for the negative consequences of unilateral coercive measures.”
The countries also agreed to cooperate in the space sector, digital technologies, and culture.
In addition, Putin announced an agreement to build a Russian Orthodox church in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city.
“An agreement has been reached to approve the construction of a Russian Orthodox Church in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city,” said the Russian president.
This was reported by Reuters.
Earlier, Russian bank cards from the Mir payment system began to be accepted in Myanmar. This was announced by Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov following talks between Vladimir Putin and Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing.
