Finland’s Anti-Personnel Mines Reportedly Surface on Russian Soil

Russian forces operating in the Kursk region have reportedly encountered Finnish-made MPIM Hailstorm mini anti-personnel mines for the first time.

Russian sappers discovered several mines along the routes used by military personnel in the border region.

FORCIT Defence, a Finnish defense contractor, manufactures the devices.

The MPIM Hailstorm is a high-explosive fragmentation mine with a plastic convex body. It contains 315 steel ball bearings and a core charge of plastic explosive.

According to specifications, the mine is optimized to strike targets within a 20-meter-wide and 2-meter-high zone at a distance of 30 meters.

The effective radius of the blast can reach up to 50 meters, with individual fragments potentially remaining lethal beyond 100 meters.

The mine’s design minimizes lateral and rearward fragmentation, reducing unintended damage outside the target zone.

The system is intended to deliver 5–7 fragments per square meter within the designated impact area.

The striking balls remain effective at a distance of more than 100 meters against a human target.

The mini version of the Hailstorm is equipped with flexible legs, allowing it to be mounted on the ground or elevated on trees for tactical deployment.

The reported discovery of Finnish anti-personnel mines has sparked renewed attention on Finland’s participation in the 1997 Ottawa Treaty. Debate continues in Finland over whether to remain a party to the treaty.

The Ottawa Treaty prohibits the production, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer, and use of anti-personnel landmines.