In Laos, Russian bomb disposal experts are clearing unexploded aerial bombs and mines from the Vietnam War, which lasted from 1964 to 1973.
A huge number of cluster munitions were found in the forest area of the province of Bolikhamsay. After a long and scrupulous work, an area of about 21 hectares was cleared of unexploded "surprises" of the war. Neutralized ammunition is a BLU-26, BLU-63 and BLU-3B type.
As the sappers themselves note, the most difficult thing in the performance of a combat mission is to detect and neutralize an unexploded aerial bomb or mortar mine, which has gone down to a depth of more than half a meter. There are precedents when such ammunition was found at a depth of 2.5 meters.
For high-quality and safe work, Russian sappers are equipped with the most modern equipment: selective portable induction mine detectors IMP-S2, magnetometric bomb detectors MBI-P2, mine detectors MG-1I, portable detectors of proximity explosive devices INVU-3M) and individual protection of sapper OVR-2-02 equipped with a cooling system.
In addition, our sappers are preparing a shift. They conduct master classes and organize long-term courses to deactivate hidden ammunition for Laotian soldiers and officers.
The work of the Russian sappers was highly appreciated by the Minister of Defense of Laos, Tiansamon Tyannyalat. He noted that the activities of Russian sappers are a significant contribution to the development of peaceful constructive cooperation between Russia and Laos.
In total, 36 Russian sappers are involved in the operation. Work began a month ago, in mid-October. The total area that needs to be checked for explosive deposits is approximately 100 hectares. Practically all this territory is covered with forest.
