Analysis: Russian Weapons and 'Meat Assault' Tactics From Ukraine Now Shaping Myanmar War

Al Jazeera published an in-depth analysis on March 24, 2026, documenting how Russian military equipment and battlefield doctrine drawn from the Ukraine war are materially shaping the Myanmar civil war. Russia has emerged as the junta's most important defense partner, supplying advanced drones including the fixed-wing Albatross-M5 UAV, the Orlan-10E (capable of 16 hours airborne with optical/thermal imaging), and the kamikaze VT-40. The junta has also adopted Russia's 'meat assault' strategy — mass infantry waves against fortified positions — deploying conscripts in frontal assaults to deplete resistance ammunition. ACLED recorded 5,912 airstrikes and 931 drone attacks between February 2021 and March 13, 2026, with at least 4,865 and 366 deaths respectively from those categories. Air attack deaths rose 52% in 2025 compared to 2024, per UN figures.