Min Aung Hlaing Spends US$5 Million for Joint Myanmar-Russia Army Exercise in Naypyidaw, Despite Policy to Save Foreign Currency

Min Aung Hlaing, who has set a policy to save foreign currency by banning all imports into Myanmar, has spent US$5 million on the joint Myanmar-Russia army exercise "Naypyidaw Operation," according to a military source in Naypyidaw. It is understood that all expenses for the joint exercise between the two armies, which is being held in Naypyidaw from July 6 to July 17, are being borne by Min Aung Hlaing on the Myanmar side. "All expenses for the joint training between the two armed forces are borne by the Naypyidaw military headquarters. This includes the cost of chartering Russian cargo planes to fly from Russia to Naypyidaw, accommodation costs in Naypyidaw, hotels, vehicles, food and drink, and daily per diem expenses for the officers and soldiers of the Russian army. All operational expenses are borne by the Myanmar side. The Naypyidaw military headquarters and the Ministry of Defence are bearing the costs. The expenses cover the 12 days of the operation and the days prior to its commencement," the military source in Naypyidaw said. The Russian military delegation, which will provide military training to the troops of the State Administration Council, and Russian cargo planes arrived in Naypyidaw consecutively this month. It is known that on July 4, an IL-76 type military cargo plane from Russia and a Russian delegation arrived in Naypyidaw. Currently, the Russian delegation is conducting a military training course for officers and soldiers of the State Administration Council in Naypyidaw, and the Russian IL-76 aircraft will remain parked until July 17. Furthermore, a small aircraft carrying three senior Russian military officers arrived in Naypyidaw on the afternoon of July 6, attended the opening ceremony of the joint operation exercise, and departed on July 8.