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Mar 8 • 16 tweets • 8 min read
1. This History Thread is a backgrounder on how Feb. 1, 2021 Russia-backed coup in Myanmar (Burma) relates to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine & response. Military & diplomatic support from Russia have enabled the Myanmar coup regime. 🌿#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #IStandWithUkraine 🇺🇦
2. In 2010s enabled by Myanmar crony Tay Za, Russia outpaced China’s arms sales to Myanmar. Russian sold Myanmar military MiG-29 jets, helicopters, Yak-130 training/attack jets, air defense missile systems, Su-30 fighter/attack aircraft, drones. irrawaddy.com/news/burma/bur…
3. Just before Myanmar military’s Feb. 1, 2021 coup, Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu visited Myanmar to finalize a new deal to supply arms to the country. Many have considered this a go ahead meeting for Gen. Min Aung Hlaing’s coup. irrawaddy.com/opinion/analys…
4. On Myanmar’s Armed Forces Day March 27, 2021, Russia’s Deputy Defense Min. Col-Gen. Alexander Fomin was an honored guest. Most countries declined to send representatives to the ceremony & lavish dinner party hosted by Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-…
5. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia several times, most recent June 2021 for “security conference,” honors from military university. June ’21 Russia Vice-Admiral Vladimir Lvovich Kasatonov & rep. of state-owned arms co. Rosoboronexport visited Myanmar. asiatimes.com/2021/07/russia…
6. Oct. 2021 Russian Navy Warship Gremyashiy visited Myanmar & Gen. Min Aung Hlaing met with Russian Vice-Admiral Vladimir Lvovich Kasatonov on board. Jan. 2022 shipment of Russian armored vehicles arrived in Myanmar on a freighter from Vladivostok. myanmarwitness.org/reports/arms-b…
7. People’s Defense Forces joined w. long established Ethnic Armed Organizations to fight Myanmar coup regime, causing major losses to regime troops on the ground. Coup regime uses aircraft incl. Russian helicopters & jets but resistance has no aircraft. asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myan…
8. Russian aircraft (helicopter gunships, jets) is currently integral to Myanmar regime’s air tactics (strafing/bombing civilian villages) to attack PDF/EAO groups & to try to terrorize people out of supporting resistance. irrawaddy.com/news/burma/the…
9. Jan./Feb. ’22 a 24 member Russian pilots delegation visited Myanmar, possibly for training & technical assistance to Myanmar Air Force, during its attacks on resistance groups & civilian locations (villages, Loikaw town.) irrawaddy.com/news/burma/rus…
10. Russia + China blocked UN Sec. Council holding Myanmar accountable for human rights violations incl. Rohingya genocide, weakened Mar. '21 UNSC statement. Russia abstained UN Gen. Assembly June ’21 Myanmar arms embargo resolution; Ukraine voted for it. independent.co.uk/asia/southeast…
11. Ukraine sold tanks, APCs, aircraft parts to Myanmar. But Russian arms transfers to Myanmar are far larger. People of Ukraine expressed support for Myanmar’s anti-coup movement. People of Myanmar are showing support for Ukraine against Russian invasion:
12. Myanmar coup regime endorsed Russia invasion of Ukraine, spokesperson told VOA Burmese, “I think this is the right thing to do." But Myanmar’s legit National Unity Government “condemns the unprovoked acts of war directed against Ukraine & its people.” myanmar-now.org/en/news/myanma…
13. Voting for March ’22 UN Gen. Assembly resolution condemning Russia invasion of Ukraine, Myanmar Amb. Kyaw Moe Tun (appointed by legit govt, not coup regime): “Myanmar condemns the invasion of Ukraine & unprovoked attacks against the people of Ukraine.” myanmarmissionnewyork.org/post/statement…
14. PDFs & EAOs fighting effectively vs Russia-backed coup in Myanmar w. improvised weapons but want portable anti-aircraft (Manpad) for defense. Need aviation fuel sanctions on Myanmar regime & cross border aid, protection of internally displaced persons.
rfa.org/english/commen…
15. Many thanks to war correspondents @lindseyhilsum, @timkmak, @PDocumentarians & others who even while bravely covering the war in Ukraine have made efforts to also draw some attention to the war in Myanmar & refugees from Myanmar.
16/16. My other History Threads & reports are at projectmaje.org.
For more background on centuries of Russia/Burma (Myanmar) relations, see my July 2021 History Thread:

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More from @EdithMirante

Edith Mirante Profile picture
Feb 23
1. This History Thread is about Myanmar (Burma) People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) historical & cultural iconography. Designers use visual symbols to express power, pride, heritage for PDFs resisting Feb. 1, 2021 coup regime. Insignia pix via social media. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
2. In Sagaing Region, Sayar San PDF-4 of YMB (Yin Mar Bin Township) PDFs has a farmer’s hat with crossed swords as symbol & Depayin PDF uses Saya San picture. Saya San was charismatic leader of 1930-32 peasant revolt with sabotage campaign against British colonial rule of Burma.
3. Magway People’s Struggle Committee, a resistance group supporting PDFs, uses picture of Po Hla Gyi. Known as “the Ogre” he led Burmah Oil Company workers on strike for better pay & conditions 1938-9 which became a national general strike against colonial exploitation.
Read 11 tweets
Edith Mirante Profile picture
Jan 19
1. This History Thread is an overview of relations of ASEAN members with Burma (Myanmar.) Association of South East Asian Nations is regional political & economic organization which Myanmar controversially joined in 1997. Ineffective regarding 2021 coup. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
2. Thailand most significant of ASEAN members for relations w. Myanmar (Burma.) Constant Burmese-Siamese Wars 16th-19th C. Burma rulers repeatedly invaded Ayutthaya (Siam) & were invaded in turn. 19th C. British colonized Burma but Siam (wd. become Thailand) remained independent.
3. After Burma 1948 Independence & 1962 military rule, Thailand border rife with smuggling incl. drugs. Ethnic Armed Organizations fighting Burma (Myanmar) regime were tolerated by Thailand as buffer zone. Refugees fled Burma (Myanmar) mil. govt. human rights abuse to Thailand.
Read 20 tweets
Edith Mirante Profile picture
Aug 12, 2021
1. This History Thread is about relations between Burma (Myanmar) and China, the powerful & influential neighbor to the north. It’s a particularly long thread (30) but is still just an overview of this complex subject. #WhatIsHappeningInMyanmar
2. Over millennia ancient migration routes along rivers connected lands that would become China with lands that would eventually be called Burma. Some peoples spoke languages of Sino-Thai family, others Tibeto-Burman languages; joined other ethnic groups inhabiting plains, hills.
3. Ancient trade routes from Shan lands that would become Burma to Dali Kingdom (present day Yunnan, China.) Muslim traders' caravans from China. Sea trade, Chinese ships at ports in Pegu, Arakan, Martaban. By 15th C. precious stones, metals mined in Shan lands for China trade.
Read 30 tweets
Edith Mirante Profile picture
Jul 7, 2021
1. This History Thread is about Burma (Myanmar) relations with Russia. Over many years the relationship has had some interesting twists & turns. Currently the connection consists mainly of Russian arms deals + diplomatic enabling for Myanmar coup regime. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar ImageImageImage
2. Among earliest descriptions of lands that would become Burma by travelers from far away: 15th C. Russian merchant Athanasius Nikitin told his readers about Pegu, “a not inconsiderable port” inhabited by “Indian dervishes” (Muslim mystics) who traded in rubies & other gems. Image
3. Britain colonized Burma in late 19th C. during a time when Britain & Russia were rivals in HImalayas & Central Asia “Great Game.” Ivan Minayev of the Russian Geographical Society traveled in Burma 1885-6 to study Buddhist manuscripts & archeology. Image
Read 20 tweets
Edith Mirante Profile picture
Jun 24, 2021
1. This History Thread is about the music of resistance in Myanmar (Burma.) This is a brief overview, not including all important bands or songs. It is a multi-ethnic array of many musical styles — put your headphones on & pump up the volume. 🎧 #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar 🌿
2. In the independent (often warring) lands that would become Burma, music was created by different cultures, absorbed, captured, traveling. Royal courts sponsored musicians. Resistance to tyrannical rulers was sometimes expressed in subversive, satirical folksongs & chants.
3. Early 20th C. defiance of British colonial rule of Burma was expressed in songs extolling glorious past of Burman (Bamar) ethnic group. “Dobama” by YMB Saya Khin, imprisoned for incitement. Unfortunately some nationalist songs attacked Muslims, Indians. myanmore.com/2020/05/the-st…
Read 25 tweets
Edith Mirante Profile picture
Apr 10, 2021
1. This History Thread is about sabotage in Burma (Myanmar) from cutting British colonial telegraph lines to hacking websites. Sabotage as a tactic is: destroying or damaging infrastructure or other property (not people) to prevent use by an opponent.
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar 🌿
2. From 1880s through 1930s there were rebellions against British colonial rule in Burma. Saya San rebellion 1930-32 challenged British control w. tactics including destroying cutting telegraph lines & destroying telegraph stations, timber industry facilities & railway bridges.
3. World War 2, as Japanese forces invaded Burma 1942, British 17th Indian Infantry Div. attempted to halt Japanese advance on Rangoon in battle at Sittang River. British destroyed Sittang bridge but that stranded 17th & other units in a major defeat. thisworldrocks.com/war-history/un…
Read 17 tweets

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