6/22/26, 2:24 PM Myanmar’s Military Is Turning to Russia to Revive Its Stalled Cyber Dream – The Diplomat By the late 2010s, Yatanarpon had become an unfinished vision rather than a functioning innovation × hub. Several buildings remained underused, promised Ad technology ecosystems failed to materialize, and Myanmar’s growing political instability discouraged any kind of direct investment. The 2021 coup accelerated this decline. International sanctions targeted military-linked companies and state institutions, foreign firms exited the country, and internet shutdowns undermined confidence in Myanmar’s digital environment. Rather than promoting innovation, the junta increasingly prioritized information control, surveillance, and cyber regulation. In this context, Russia emerged as one of the few major powers willing to deepen cooperation with Myanmar without attaching political conditions related to democracy or human rights. https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/myanmars-military-is-turning-to-russia-to-revive-its-stalled-cyber-dream/ 5/13