Since Election Announcement, Myanmar Military Attacks Escalate; Airstrikes Nearly Double

(Naypyidaw, 27th) Myanmar’s opposition claims that since the military government announced the election date on August 18, the military has escalated both airstrikes and ground offensives in an effort to reclaim lost territory and tighten control. The number of airstrikes has nearly doubled, resulting in at least 100 civilian deaths.
According to anti-government online media 'The Irrawaddy,' during the month following the election date announcement, the military government conducted 27 airstrikes across 20 townships, most of which are under the control of or disputed with anti-government armed groups. Targets hit include two private boarding schools, seven Buddhist temples, and one Christian church. In the previous month, 19 airstrikes were carried out in 10 townships.
Analysts believe that the military’s airstrikes aim to create instability and disrupt the administration of resistance forces.
Mo Thet Naing, a researcher at the independent non-profit organization Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica monitoring the military government, said in an interview: "Since the military government has decided to hold elections, they must find ways to control these regions to enhance their status in the international community. It is expected that airstrikes and ground offensives will increase further."
A spokesperson from the ethnic Kachin Independence Army in northern Myanmar stated that despite repeated denials from the military government, civilians, schools, hospitals, and religious buildings are frequently targeted by airstrikes. "International organizations must take this matter seriously; these are war crimes."
In addition, Myanmar has invited Russia to supervise and observe the election to be held in December, and both sides have already held meetings on related matters. Russia is the main arms supplier to Myanmar’s military government and one of the few countries in the world maintaining close relations with it.
Even before the election timetable was set last year, Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing declared he would invite Russia to oversee the elections. Now, with less than three months before the election, discussions between the military government and Russian officials have become more frequent.
Besides Russia, the military government is also expected to invite China, India, Belarus, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos as primary observers for this election.
The Myanmar general election will be held in phases in December this year and January next year, with the first phase starting from December 28. Since opposition parties have declared a boycott of the election, the international community widely believes that this election will be dominated by military proxies.
On the other hand, at Russian President Putin’s invitation, Min Aung Hlaing traveled to Moscow to attend the World Nuclear Energy Week Forum. The two held a meeting on Thursday (September 25) on the sidelines of the forum to discuss deepening cooperation in diplomacy, defense, energy, and investment.

According to a statement released by the Kremlin, Min Aung Hlaing informed Putin that Myanmar plans to soon establish an embassy in Vladivostok. Myanmar currently has an embassy in Moscow and consulates in St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk.