The security service is preparing a large-scale evidence base that indicates the deliberate use of anti-personnel mines by the Russian Federation against the civilian population of Ukraine.
This is a deliberate violation of international law, laws and customs of war, notes SBU.
— Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, more than 1 thousand civilians have been injured due to enemy explosive devices, of which 297 — died. Among them — a lot of children. After the SBU receives a sufficient amount of evidence, the issue of transferring the materials to the International Criminal Court in The Hague will be decided, — the message says.
As the investigation has established, the occupiers are purposefully setting up mine traps near or on the territory of populated areas that are in the combat zone.
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The enemy uses various consumer items to disguise ammunition, including children's toys and boxes of candy.
In addition, very often Russian DRGs install minefields to cover their retreat from the front-line areas and border areas of Ukraine.
Mining by the occupiers of Ukraine
The most cases of the aggressor using mine traps against the civilian population were recorded in the territories of the Donetsk and Kharkov regions.
We are talking about high-explosive and fragmentation anti-personnel mines of the type:
- PFM-1 — pressure action ammunition (known as Petal). Due to its specific shape it is hardly noticeable on the ground. When such a mine explodes, a person receives significant leg injuries, which can lead to death;
- PMN-2 — also pressure-action ammunition. Usually, when it explodes, a person’s limb, with which he stepped on a mine, is torn off;
- OZM-72 — a jumping spherical munition (known as a frog mine). When triggered, it “jumps” to a height of almost 1 m and strikes with debris within a radius of 25 m;
- MON-50 — directional anti-personnel mine prohibited by the Ottawa Convention.
Within the framework of multi-episode criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Art. 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war), investigative actions are ongoing to bring war criminals to justice.
