The quest for legitimacy in old religious practice: a study of Buddhist meritorious acts of general Ming Aung Hlaing in Russia (2021-2023)

Paper Abstract: The appeal by a certain military regime in the modern history of Myanmar to Buddhism for the purpose of legitimation has been studied through different theoretical angles in historiography. (See papers of G. Houtman, I. Jordt, J. Shober, M. Walton). 
After a violent coup d'etat in 2021 a new military regime under the guidance of general Ming Aung Hlaing came to power. Due to severe violation of Constitution and lack of broad masses support the new regime was aimed to seek political legitimation appealing to different strategies. Like their military predecessors (SLORC) the new regime launched a public campaign on making generous donations to Buddhist sangha as well as sponsorship of splendid religious monuments construction. Such "meritorious" deeds are aimed to hidden violence and to create "peaceful" image of current military regime. 
From 2021 up to the 2023 a lot of Western, Russian and Burmese mass media recorded a phenomenon of general Ming Aung Hlaing's "merit-making activities" in Russia. Such actions include the construction of two replicas of Shwedagon and Shwezigon stupas along with carrying out some peculiar rituals known as "yadaya". During the year 2022 Ming Aung Hlaing visited several holy Buddhist  places in the republic of Butyatia, Russia. 
In the paper I'll try to present such activities as an essential part of Ming Aung Hlaing's external legitimation strategy as well as a new phenomenon in modern Russia-Myanmar bilateral relations.