Ukraine's innovative mine strategy: 3D printing for defence
Due to a shortage of weaponry, both Ukrainians and Russians are creating field substitutes. For Ukrainians, one of the most important means of defence has become anti-personnel mines. Here's how they produce inexpensive substitutes using 3D printers.
From the beginning of the war, Ukrainians have been keen to use their substantial stockpiles of anti-tank mines, effective against Russian armoured and mechanised forces. Unfortunately, over time, Russians modified their tactics to employ large numbers of infantry, whose attacks are referred to as "meat assaults."
This poses problems because small Russian assault groups can sneak up on Ukrainian positions at night or use conditions like fog. Similarly, North Korean soldiers show little regard for the losses they incur.
In such cases, it would be ideal to fortify areas with anti-personnel mines. However, Ukraine signed the Ottawa Treaty on 24 February 1999 and ratified it on 27 December 2005. This treaty prohibits the use of such mines and mandates the disposal of existing stockpiles.
Anti-personnel mines — a key weapon Ukraine regrets disposing of
Russia did not ratify the treaty, which is why anti-personnel mines are still present in Ukraine. Only recently did the Americans permit the transfer of some anti-personnel mines to Ukraine. However, this is insufficient relative to the demand. For this reason, Ukrainians have developed their own versions of PFM-1 "butterfly" mines dispersed by drones, referred to as "Gingerbread."
In the video below, a Russian is seen disassembling such a mine, which consists of a 3D-printed body containing about 30 grams of explosive material and a simple detonator based on a primer and a screw. The screw is attached to a thinner cover, which breaks when stepped on, causing the screw to fall onto the primer and initiate the explosion of the explosive charge.
Ukrainians produce mine bodies themselves or receive them from volunteer groups, such as national branches of the Wild Bees group, which conduct fundraising to finance the purchase of materials for producing various elements with 3D printers for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
