Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence Directorate (HUR) said on Saturday that the Kremlin is organising the deployment of a combined engineering unit of up to 50 soldiers from the Lao People’s Army to conduct demining operations in Russia’s border-region of Kursk. Kyiv contends the mission, framed by Moscow as humanitarian assistance, is intended to free Russian troops for combat in Ukraine and to legitimise the presence of foreign military personnel on Russian soil. HUR also claims Vientiane has agreed to provide rehabilitation programmes for Russian servicemen wounded in the war. Neither the Russian nor Laotian governments have publicly addressed the allegation. If confirmed, the move would mark the first known involvement by a Southeast Asian military in support of Russia’s campaign and underscores Moscow’s increasing reliance on foreign manpower, following earlier arrangements with North Korean units and hired fighters from Africa and Asia.