Russian-backed tungsten project advances in eastern Myanmar near Chinese mine
A Russian-backed tungsten mining project approved by Myanmar's military is set to begin in eastern Shan State, near a large Chinese-run mine operated with the United Wa State Army. Analysts read it as the junta balancing its dependence on China and Russia.
The DIGGED Read
Who's driving which narrative, and why
The independent, exile-run Irrawaddy and Myanmar Now break the operational detail; the foreign analyst outlet The Diplomat frames it as strategic hedging by an isolated junta; the Russia-based Moscow Times situates it in Moscow's widening Myanmar footprint.
Where the silence is
No state-aligned Myanmar, mainstream Southeast Asian, or Chinese-state outlet is covering a China-Russia resource flashpoint on Myanmar soil - readers relying on domestic or regional state media would not know it exists.
Questions to ask
- Why would the junta's own media and Chinese state outlets stay silent on a mine that pits Chinese and Russian interests against each other?
- Whose economic interest does each covering outlet represent?
Check your own reaction
If you had not heard of this, that is the point - ask which outlets you rely on and whether any of them would be allowed to run it.
What no one is reporting
The revenue split between the junta and the China-backed UWSA that controls the neighbouring mine.
Coverage by alignment
Opposition / Adversarial (2)
First known Russian tungsten project moves into eastern Shan
Russian project greenlit by the junta near a Chinese mine.
Owner: Irrawaddy Publishing Group (founded by exiles) · Independent / Nonprofit
Myanmar · Factuality: High
Russian miner enters Wa-controlled tungsten belt
New project abuts a China-backed UWSA operation.
Owner: Independent nonprofit newsroom (operating in exile) · Independent / Nonprofit
Myanmar · Factuality: High
Global wires / unrated (2)
Myanmar's junta turns to Russia
Part of a widening Myanmar-Russia relationship.
Owner: Trans-Asia Inc. · Independent / Nonprofit
United States · Factuality: High
Russia and Myanmar deepen resource ties
Moscow's widening Myanmar footprint.
Owner: Stichting 2 Oktober (Amsterdam) · Independent / Nonprofit
Russia · Factuality: High