In an effort to draw international partners into its war against Ukraine, Russian authorities plan to deploy a combined unit of engineering troops from the Lao People’s Armed Forces to conduct mine clearance operations in Russia’s Kursk region.
The Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.
Amid heavy battlefield losses and the gradual depletion of its resources, Russia’s military and political leadership is looking for ways to sustain its war against Ukraine.
In addition to recruiting large numbers of mercenaries from African and Asian countries, as well as deploying units from North Korea, the Kremlin is now working to involve so-called partner states under the guise of humanitarian missions in Russian regions bordering Ukraine.
One such country is Laos. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Kremlin is organizing the deployment of a combined Laotian engineering unit to clear mines in the Kursk region.
Given its heavy reliance on external aid, the Laotian leadership has initially expressed willingness to send up to 50 military sappers to Russia and assist in demining efforts in the region.
In addition, Laos is providing Russia with free assistance by offering rehabilitation services for wounded Russian soldiers who participated in combat operations against Ukraine.
Ukraine’s intelligence agency said that, by disguising such involvement as humanitarian support, Russia seeks to legitimize the presence of foreign military personnel on its territory — effectively using them to support combat operations against Ukraine.
Illustrative photo: Communications Unit of Ukraine’s 92nd Assault Brigade
Source: Kremlin to involve Laotian engineering troops in mine clearance in Kursk region – HUR
