Russians Drop 3D-Printed Anti-Personnel Mines on Kherson

Russian troops are dispersing 3D-printed anti-personnel mines wrapped in camouflage fabric in Kherson.

Suspilne reported this, citing Volodymyr Perepelitsa, head of the explosives department at the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kherson region.

According to him, the use of homemade mines is an attempt by the Russian army to compensate for a shortage of PFM-1 mines, also known as “petals.” For this purpose, Russian forces have modified their own anti-personnel mine, referred to as the Praynik (“gingerbread”.)

“It is printed on a 3D printer. Inside it contains an explosive charge, a detonator and the components needed for activation. It works the same way as the PFM: pressure triggers it. If a person steps on it or a vehicle runs over it, the plastic bends, sometimes breaks, and an explosion occurs,” Perepelitsa said.

The homemade mines are electrically initiated, making the system more sensitive than mechanical fuses.

The average pressure required for activation is about seven kilograms. That is enough for any adult to trigger the device and risk severe injury.

The explosive charge in the mine is sufficient to sever a foot.

Russian forces drop these anti-personnel mines from copter-type drones. The devices do not have a self-destruct mechanism and are wrapped in camouflage fabric.

Earlier, at the end of January, reports said Russian Molniya fixed-wing kamikaze drones had begun to be used to deploy PTM anti-tank mines.

Russian forces have previously used drones, including Shahed-type systems, as carriers for anti-personnel and anti-tank mines.
One case involving the use of PFM-1 mines was recorded in the city of Nizhyn.

Ukrainian air defense units have also shot down enemy drones whose wreckage contained PKM-1 containers with PTM-3 anti-tank mines.

PKM-1 containers can be equipped not only with PTM-3 anti-tank mines but also with PFM-1 anti-personnel mines