Russian VDV troops train with Myanmar forces in Tiger-2026 exercise
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Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) trained alongside Myanmar troops during the Tiger-2026 joint exercise in July 2026. The exercise preceded a visit by Myanmar's military-appointed President Min Aung Hlaing to Russia, where the two sides signed agreements on military and economic cooperation. The developments signal deepening Kremlin support for Min Aung Hlaing's government, even as evidence suggests Russian mercenaries may already be operating in Myanmar's civil war.
Key Facts
- The Myanmar–Russia joint exercise Tiger-2026 took place in July 2026 and included troops from Russia's VDV.
- After the exercise, Myanmar's military-appointed President Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia and signed agreements on military and economic cooperation.
- Min Aung Hlaing described Myanmar as a 'reliable partner' of Russia in a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
- Observers question whether Moscow may become more deeply involved in Myanmar's civil war, given the presence of VDV personnel, unmanned vehicles, and Russian military instructors.
- Recent evidence suggests Russian 'soldiers of fortune' may already be operating alongside Myanmar forces.
Tiger-2026 Exercise
In July 2026, footage released by the Myanmar regime showed troops from Russia's Airborne Forces (VDV) training alongside their Myanmar counterparts. The joint exercise, named Tiger-2026, formed part of expanding military cooperation between Naypyidaw and Moscow. The exercise was followed by a visit by military-appointed President Min Aung Hlaing to Russia, where the two sides signed agreements covering military and broader economic cooperation. In his meeting with President Putin, Min Aung Hlaing described Myanmar as a 'reliable partner' of Russia.
Russian Mercenary Presence
Moscow's growing official military presence may not be the only way Russian nationals are becoming involved in Myanmar's war. Recent evidence suggests that Russian 'soldiers of fortune' may already be operating alongside Myanmar forces. This raises the possibility of a more direct Russian presence on the battlefield.
Historical Foreign Fighters
The presence of foreign soldiers of fortune in Myanmar predates the founding of the modern nation. During the early years of the Second World War, the American Volunteer Group, known as the Flying Tigers, operated from airfields in British Burma. Under the post-independence government of U Nu, there were recurring reports of foreign military elements connected to Kuomintang remnants in eastern Shan State. The Kuomintang troops were supported through Air America, an airline covertly controlled by the CIA. The U Nu government formally protested these covert activities at the United Nations.
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