Laos Hosts Joint Counter-Terror Drills with Russia

The People’s Army of Laos led its third joint counter-terror military exercise with Russia’s Eastern Military District, bolstering military cooperation and the nations’ defense potential.

The Laros 2022 counter-terror drill involved armored, motorized infantry, and reinforcement units.

“For the third time now, our units will practice traditional operations in single combat formations to conduct a counter-terror exercise under the motto of “Shoulder to Shoulder for Peace and Security,” Russia’s Major-General Vladimir Kulikov said.

The Russian contingent sent fewer military personnel this year amid the country’s nine-month-long war with Ukraine.

Laos and Russia began their bilateral cooperation in 2016 with talks between then-Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In 2018, the two leaders agreed to strengthen technical-military cooperation through Russian assistance with helicopter repairs and other military procurements.