The 81st anniversary of the founding of the Armed Forces of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was celebrated at the Main Administration for Service to the Diplomatic Corps (GlavUpDK) Cultural Center of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Guests were introduced to the traditions of the country’s armed forces, traditional martial arts, and the cultural code of Myanmar as a strategic partner of the Russian Federation in Southeast Asia.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, which played a key role in liberating the country from invaders, remain a vital element in the life of this distinctive and unique Southeast Asian country. Therefore, the Myanmar Embassy in Russia organized a special reception dedicated to the 81st anniversary of its Armed Forces, to which representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense, diplomats, and public figures were invited.
Brigadier General Kyaw Soe Oo, Military, Naval, and Air Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in the Russian Federation, welcomed the guests. The Russian Ministry of Defense was represented by Lieutenant General Oleg Iskuskov, Deputy Head of the National Defense Management Center. Among the distinguished guests was Denis Vladimirov, member of the Supreme Council of the Russian Union of Myanmar (RSBI), President of the Russian Burmese Boxing Federation, and co-author of the “Practical Athletic All-Around” system. He presented “Practical Athletic All-Around”—an innovative system designed to develop applied competencies in young people by integrating physical training, technological thinking, and modern skills. Members of the Russian Burmese Boxing Federation and students from Moscow’s universities, including representatives from Myanmar, also participated in the ceremony. They introduced the guests to the traditional martial arts of Myanmar (Burma) and the country’s remarkable music and dance culture. An exhibition of folk crafts was also organized. Lieutenant General Iskuskov read a congratulatory message from the Chief of the Russian General Staff, Army General Valery Gerasimov, to the Chief of the General Staff of the Myanmar Armed Forces. He congratulated the friendly country’s armed forces on the holiday and expressed hope for further development of cooperation.
Brigadier General Kyaw Soe Oo, in turn, recalled that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has set ambitious goals for the army: “Today, situations that could impact peace and international stability continue to arise in various regions of the world. In this context, the Myanmar Armed Forces actively participate in regional and global security efforts in cooperation with neighboring states and the international community. Such joint efforts not only advance mutual national interests but also contribute to global stability, peace, and a balanced international order.”
Furthermore, Kyaw Soe Oo noted that the Russian Federation is a long-standing, reliable, and strategic partner of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar: “Following meetings and talks between the leaders of our countries, Russia and Myanmar are implementing agreements on broader cooperation in various areas—not only in military-technical cooperation, but also in education, economics, energy, transport, tourism, agriculture, science, technology, and sports. Mutual visits will continue unabated. We will continue to build strong relations based on mutual benefit, equality, and mutual respect, and we will continue to cooperate with all states that share this position.”
