Myanmar Military Leader Attends Russia’s WWII Victory Parade in Moscow

Myanmar Military Leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and top officials travel to Moscow for Russia’s Victory Day parade on May 9, marking 80 years since WWII’s end. China’s Xi Jinping also attending; Western nations not invited.

A commemorative military parade will be held in Moscow’s Red Square on the upcoming May 9 to mark the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory in the Great Patriotic War. According to the military council, Myanmar Military Leader Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla departed from the military airport in Naypyidaw this morning, May 7, to attend the ceremony.

International news reports state that Chinese President Xi Jinping, a close ally of the military council, will also attend the event.

Leaders from China, Brazil, Slovakia, Serbia, and Israel have been invited to the commemorative ceremony, while countries from the European Union, including the United States, were reportedly not invited.

In response to Russia’s military display, Ukraine—currently at war with Russia—along with European Union countries, will hold a diplomatic gathering in Kyiv on May 9, as reported by international media.

The military council also stated that accompanying the trip are Deputy Prime Minister and General Yar Pyae and his wife, council members General Maung Maung Aye, Dr. Banyar Aung Moe, Khun San Lwin, Foreign Minister U Than Swe, and Chief of Coordination (Army, Navy, Air Force) General Kyaw Swar Lin and his wife, along with other military and civilian officials.

Additionally, it is reported by military council media that Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of Myanmar Military Leader, joined the trip upon an invitation from the Chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council.

The military council further announced that Myanmar and Russia will continue to strengthen their strategic partnership across sectors including friendship between peoples, economic cooperation, and security. Currently, Russian films and series are reportedly being broadcast on MRTV, one of Myanmar’s domestic TV channels.