Myanmar’s junta has once again employed “elephant diplomacy”, gifting five female and one male pachyderm to the Great Moscow State Circus.
Russian media reported that the gift celebrates the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Edgard Zapashny, general director of the circus, was quoted in the Russian news agency Tass saying that the six elephants, accompanied by three trainers and a veterinarian, were transported on an Il-76 aircraft, taking over a day to reach their destination with two refueling stops.
“We prioritized the elephants’ well-being throughout their journey. They are settling in comfortably despite the time-zone adjustment,” Zapashny said.
Myanmar made a similar gesture in 2018.
Tass and Kaluga News reported that Myanmar’s ambassador to Russia, U Thit Lin Ohn, stated that the selection of the elephants was conducted “under the careful supervision of Myanmar’s Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing”.
He said: “Both sides worked tirelessly to fulfill all procedures, including medical examinations and transportation.”
Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, expressed gratitude to Myanmar and was photographed feeding the elephants.
She said the legal and logistical challenges had taken nearly two years to overcome.
Elephants, revered in Myanmar as symbols of power and good fortune, hold a special place in the nation’s culture.
The diplomatic gesture underscores their role in attempts to foster goodwill and international partnerships, building on similar initiatives like the 2024 transfer of elephants to Fukuoka in Japan.
Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar and Russia have strengthened their military and diplomatic cooperation. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia in 2021 and twice in 2022, meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Myanmar’s regime — notorious for its deadly airstrikes on civilian targets — has taken delivery of six Su-30 fighter jets ordered from Russia.
