Russian use of banned mines escalates conflict in Ukraine
The Russian Federation army has begun to fill front-line areas with banned mines, reports the Ukrainian agency Unian. This highlights the problem of prohibited PFM-1 mines appearing increasingly frequently. We will explain their capabilities.
For many months now, the Russians have not refrained from using weapons that are banned in many countries or considered highly controversial. Analysts have calculated that in recent months, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the aggressor forces have intensified attacks using chemical weapons, which are banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Additionally, there have been numerous media reports about the use of intelligent cluster weapons on the front, including the Motiv-3M system. The issue with such weapons is that they pose a significant threat to civilians and are challenging to control.
Weapons banned in many countries
Despite this, the Russian Federation continues to use weapons banned under the 2008 convention signed by 111 countries (Poland, the USA, Ukraine, and Russia are not signatories). According to the latest reports cited by the Unian agency, the Russians have started "flooding" front-line areas with PFM-1 anti-personnel cluster mines.
Some of these mines were found on a farm in the village of Shyroka Balka in the Kherson region. Residents discovered them unmarked, indicating, according to Unian, that they might have self-destruct devices. "This means that using such unmarked mines is a war crime," reports the Ukrainian agency. Importantly, demining and transporting such ammunition is practically impossible, so PFM-1 mines are usually destroyed at the location where they are found.
They cannot be defused
The PFM-1 anti-personnel cluster mines, referred to as "Blue Parrot" in NATO code and commonly known as "butterfly mines," are small Soviet-made constructions. A single PFM-1 mine measures slightly over 2.5 inches in height, 0.8 inches in width, and 5 inches in length. The total mass is 0.17 pounds, with the explosive material (liquid VS6-D or VS-60D) accounting for 0.08 pounds.
The PFM-1's construction is based on the MVDM/VGM-572 pressure-activated fuse, which initiates the explosion under a pressure of at least 11 pounds. Another version of this mine is the PFM-1S, which self-destructs after a set time, usually after 40 hours.
Helicopters, planes, and infantry are used to deploy butterfly mines. It should be noted that regardless of the type – PFM-1 or PFM-1S – none of these mines can be defused once armed. The only way to clear the area of dangerous objects is their detonation.
