The Lingering Threat of Landmines in Ukraine

The issue of landmines, especially in conflict zones, is a humanitarian disaster that garners global concern but often lacks sufficient international action. Among countries suffering from this crisis, Ukraine has emerged as the most mined country globally. Landmines in Ukraine not only affect military operations but pose a deadly threat to civilians and the environment. This blog post aims to shed light on the dire situation in Ukraine, discuss the different types of landmines used, and outline the tools available for demining. We will also explore why the use of landmines is a cruel and inhuman practice that contravenes international law.

Ukraine: The Most Mined Country in the World

According to estimates, approximately 174,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian land are contaminated with landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). The issue exacerbated with the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022. The landmines, mainly laid by Russian forces, are a mixed bag of traditional and never-before-seen types. In contrast, Ukraine, a signatory to the Mine Ban Treaty, has abstained from using antipersonnel mines but has employed anti-vehicle mines and other ERW. The process of clearing these landmines is arduous and will undoubtedly require years, if not decades, to complete, calling for international collaboration and support.

Types of Landmines

Landmines are broadly categorized into two types:

Anti-personnel mines: Aimed at causing injuries or fatalities among people.
Anti-vehicle mines: Designed to disable or destroy vehicles.

Their triggering mechanisms can vary, ranging from pressure-sensitive to tripwire, seismic, magnetic, or even remote-controlled devices. Landmines can have a variety of effects, such as blast impact, fragmentation, shaped charges, or directional damage. They can be made from multiple materials like metal, plastic, or wood, and come in different shapes, sizes, and longevity. Russia has been found to use a wide range of landmines in Ukraine, from directional fragmentation mines like MON-50, MON-90, MON-100, MON-200 to blast mines with self-destruct mechanisms like PFM-1 and PFM-1S.

Tools for Demining

Demining is a highly specialized task that demands an array of methods and tools:

Manual Demining: Traditional method involving the use of metal detectors and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Mechanical Demining: Utilizes machines like flails and plows.
Animal Detection Systems (ADS): Trained dogs or rats are used to sniff out explosives.
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS): Drones equipped with ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for aerial surveillance.
Robotics: Increasingly, robots are being used to handle potentially dangerous objects safely.

International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) provide the guidelines and standards required to perform demining operations.

The Inhuman Aspect of Landmines

Landmines are cruel, indiscriminate weapons for several reasons:

Physical and Psychological Trauma: Landmines can inflict horrific injuries, ranging from amputations and burns to blindness and deafness. Survivors often suffer from chronic pain, psychological trauma, and are socially stigmatized.
Denial of Basic Rights: Landmines inhibit access to essential resources like land, water, and food. They obstruct humanitarian aid delivery and hamper the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Environmental Damage: Landmines can contaminate soil and water with hazardous materials, destroy vegetation, and disrupt wildlife habitats.

Legal Implications and Conclusion

The deployment of landmines by Russian forces not only contradicts the Mine Ban Treaty but is also a violation of international laws, such as the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It’s a crime against humanity that calls for immediate action, both in stopping further use and in committing to clearing the already deployed mines.