After the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, Ukraine has entered the list of countries most contaminated with mines: more than 30% of our country's territory is potentially dangerous due to explosive objects. Every day, explosions from mines and other explosive objects lead to a large number of victims, including among children.
Due to today's realities, everyone should know the rules of mine safety, not only adults but also children. Therefore, it is very important now to conduct mine safety awareness work among the population so that everyone knows the rules that can save lives.
What are mines?
Anti-personnel high explosive mines
These are small plastic objects. They are used to destroy enemy manpower through the force of the mine explosion. The principle of operation is push-pull. You need to step on it, then it will work. The damage will depend on the type of mine, but more often it is damage to the limbs.
The «Butterfly» mine (also called «Petal») is particularly dangerous. These mines, measuring 12 centimeters and weighing about 80 grams each, are scattered from cluster munitions. They explode either on contact or have a time detonator, i.e. a self-destruct element. After a few hours, the mine can explode on its own.
Anti-personnel fragmentation mines
Fragmentation mines, unlike high-explosive mines, do not strike with the force of the explosion, but with striking elements in the mine body. They are buried in the ground or camouflaged on a tree. Such mines explode if a taut wire is touched or if they are activated remotely. The effect of the damage can be both directional (fragments fly out from one side of the mine) and circular (fly out 360 degrees).
One of the most dangerous fragmentation mines is the OZM-72. It is the size of a liter can. It weighs 5 kilograms. It has 2,400 fragments inside that fly 50 meters. A person touches the tensioner, the mine jumps to a height of 1 meter due to the «explosive» charge, and then the body bursts. There is almost no chance of survival.
Anti-personnel mines have been banned by the Ottawa Convention since 1999.
Anti-vehicle (anti-tank) mines
Anti-vehicle mines are also buried in the ground or left on the surface. They explode when weighed at 120 kilograms or more. But such objects should never be touched.
Anti-personnel mines can often be placed under anti-vehicle mines. In the event of an explosion, there is virtually no chance of survival.
Cluster munitions
MLRS "Grad", "Smerch", "Uragan", "Tochka U" can fire cluster munitions. Such munitions are arranged according to the principle of the Russian "matryoshka": in the fired munition there are from 30 to 70 small munitions, which scatter over an area of several hectares. These elements are 12 centimeters in size and have a self-destruct mechanism.
This type of ammunition is banned by the international convention on cluster munitions. The Russian military has used them repeatedly.
Improvised explosive devices
This type of ammunition is difficult to recognize. They are disguised as some household items, installed in cars, fixed inside houses, hidden in toys, so that they do not arouse suspicion, but arouse interest. The principle of operation is arbitrary. The enemy often uses improvised explosive devices and booby traps in military operations.
Ignitions and detonators
Individual elements of ammunition can also cause damage. Fuses and detonators are not often discussed in the context of explosives, but they are dangerous to interact with.
This is the element that initiates the explosion of a mine or grenade. These objects are also dangerous because they can explode if a person starts to disassemble or twist them.
What to do if you come across an munition or mine (landmine trap)?
- Stop, don't touch anything. Stay calm, don't panic. Remember where you found the object.
- Warn those nearby about the detected object.
- If you or people around you are doing any work, stop it immediately.
- Move away yourself and take the people nearby as far as possible (at least 100 m) from the found object. At the same time, you must leave along the same route (preferably following the trail) that you came from. If a group of people is leaving, then you must move in a column, one at a time, and in the same way, following the trail.
- Report the discovery of a suspicious object to law enforcement agencies and special services by calling 101 and 102 (the report must be made without haste, clearly, indicating the exact address (landmarks) of the location of the explosive object).
- If possible, take measures to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the danger zone before the arrival of law enforcement agencies or special services.
IT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED:
1. Touch the found object, move it, or do any other actions with it, especially trying to disassemble or render it harmless.
2. Carry out any work near the found object, especially those that may cause even a slight fluctuation of the ground.
3. Smoking, using lighters, as well as other sources of open fire and objects that can create it.
4. Use radio electronic devices (mobile phones, remote controls, car alarms, etc.).
5. Pour liquids over the object, cover it with soil, try to cover it with something, or perform other actions on it: sound, light, thermal, mechanical, etc.
6. Allow people to gather directly next to the found object.
7. If possible, take measures to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the danger zone before the arrival of law enforcement agencies or special services.
This knowledge can save more than one life!
