Russia concerned by 'alarming' situation in Myanmar

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Russia considers the situation in Myanmar to be “alarming” and is closely following developments, a government official said on Friday.

Reports of rising number of casualties among civilians is of particular concern, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, told reporters in Moscow.

“We assess the situation as alarming, and we are concerned about the information coming from there about the growing number of civilian casualties,” he said.

“This is a matter of worry for us. We are very closely monitoring what is happening there.”

Peskov said Russian authorities are also weighing the possibility of suspending military cooperation with Myanmar.

The military junta has killed at least 70 people and detained more than 2,000 amid ongoing mass protests against the Feb. 1 coup.

Top political leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, also remain in military custody.

Global organizations, including the UN and rights watchdog Amnesty International, have vehemently condemned the military junta’s violence and voiced concern over possible crimes against humanity.