Is the Myanmar junta turning to the infamous Russian Wagner Group of state-sponsored mercenaries for help in its wars against a multitude of armed groups opposing its February 2021 seizure of power? That, at least, is what is being claimed in the 61st bulletin from a Chinese-language website called One Guide that covers the fighting in northern Myanmar.
There’s long been reports of Wagner group’s presence in Myanmar since the coup, so this is not new. They are often there as “technical advisors” or “instructors” in some capacity since the Junta has been buying arms from Russia as an alternative to reliability issues with Chinese weapons. With the Junta’s crony openly asking for Russian assistance in Burma’s internal war on Russian state media, this may have alarmed the Chinese on the growing presence of Russia in Burmese scene. China sees Myanmar as its exclusive sphere of influence and despite its friendly relations with Russia does not want another rival here.