Displaying its support towards the military dictatorship in Myanmar, Russia on Tuesday said that imposition of sanctions on the military leaders may lead to a civil war in the South Asian country.

Russia’s support towards the dictators in Myanmar comes at a time when the ‘unprofessional’ military of the country is continuing with its “brutal crackdown” on its civilians.

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Russia’s show of support is a boost to the military dictatorship in Myanmar that overthrew the democratically elected civilian government on February 1.

Russia said that sanctions against the military dictators were “futile and extremely dangerous”.

“In fact, such a line contributes to pitting the sides against each other and, ultimately, pushes the people of Myanmar towards a full-scale civil conflict,” Russian Foreign Ministry said.

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Notably, Russia is a major arms supplier to Myanmar and its deputy defence minister met coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw last month.

Rights activists have been severely criticising Russia, accusing it of legitimising the military dictatorship in Myanmar.

Nearly 600 people, including dozens of children, have been shot dead by the Myanmar military and police since the coup broke out.

As per reports, at least 8 protesters were shot dead by the military regime’s armed forces at the Tarhan protest camp in Kalay, Sagaing region, early Wednesday morning.

Scores of people have also reportedly sustained injuries in the crackdown.

Reports say that the military personnel are using hand grenades and other heavy weaponry in the crackdown at Kalay in Sagaing region.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) is preparing to impose collective sanctions on the Myanmar military targeting its business interests, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in Paris.

“We are going to add economic sanctions at the level of the 27 (EU countries)…against the economic entities linked to the army so that they (sanctions) can be applied very quickly,” Le Drian told lawmakers.