Vientiane:Russian sappers have completed their eighth year of humanitarian demining in Laos, focusing on addressing the lingering threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the 1964-1973 bombing campaign. The mission, a cooperative endeavor between Laos and Russia, aims to mitigate the dangers posed by these remnants of war.

According to Lao News Agency, the demining initiative started in 2018 with specialists from Russia's International Mine Action Center collaborating with Lao personnel. Their joint efforts have involved clearing contaminated areas and providing training in the detection and disposal of explosive devices.

The operations have spanned several provinces, including Bolikhamxay, Xiengkhouang, Khammouane, Vientiane, and Huaphan. The recent eighth round, completed in the spring of 2026, successfully cleared an additional 20.1 hectares and destroyed 461 explosive items.

In addition to clearance operations, Russian instructors have contributed by training Lao military personnel in technical procedures, supplying equipment and protective gear, and promoting public awareness about UXO dangers. Ambassador Sergei Zhestkii remarked that the cooperation has not only created safer communities and enhanced agricultural land and infrastructure but also strengthened bilateral relations between Russia and Laos. The two countries plan to continue the humanitarian demining mission into 2026-2027.