Russia is attempting to involve Laos in its war against Ukraine under the guise of humanitarian cooperation, according to a statement issued by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) on July 5.
According to HUR, Moscow is arranging for a joint unit of military engineers from the Lao People's Armed Forces to be deployed to Russia's Kursk region, ostensibly to help with mine clearance operations.
Ukraine initially captured 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory during a cross-border offensive in the Kursk region, but has since lost most of it to a Russian counteroffensive this year, which has included support from North Korean forces.
Laotian media reported that the country's authorities have agreed to send up to 50 engineers to support Russian efforts. The reports also stated that Laos is offering free rehabilitation services to wounded Russian soldiers.
"Russia, under the pretext of humanitarian rhetoric, is attempting to legitimize the presence of foreign military forces on its territory and is effectively using them to wage war against Ukraine," Ukrainian intelligence said.
This comes as part of a broader Kremlin strategy to recruit foreign manpower. Russia has heavily relied on fighters from Asia and Africa, as well as from North Korea. Ukraine has captured several foreign combatants fighting for Russian forces. An April investigation by the independent Russian outlet Important Stories identified more than 1,500 foreign fighters from 48 countries who have joined Russia's war effort.
Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia bordered by China, Vietnam and Thailand, has not responded to HUR's claim. The country maintains close ties with Moscow and its ally Beijing.
