Russian Occupiers Begin Deploying New Anti-Personnel Mines 'Prjanik' in Nikopol District

On Monday, April 6, Ivan Bazilyuk, the head of the Nikopol District State Administration, announced that Russian occupiers have commenced the active deployment of new anti-personnel mines, which have been conditionally named 'Prjanik'. These mines, utilized for remote mining operations, are extremely dangerous and have the potential to cause numerous casualties among civilians.

According to Bazilyuk, these explosive devices are small, measuring approximately 5-6 centimeters in diameter, and resemble a disc or a lid in shape. They are manufactured from materials that allow them to blend into the surrounding environment—such as soil, grass, or debris—making them difficult to detect and significantly increasing the danger for individuals who may accidentally encounter them.

“They activate with the slightest pressure—just stepping on them is enough,” Bazilyuk explained the operational principle of such mines. This characteristic makes the 'Prjanik' mines even more threatening, as their activation can occur with minimal contact.

The head of the Nikopol District Administration also pointed out that Russian military forces may drop these mines from drones onto various targets, including roads, yards, fields, and roadside areas. This tactic allows the occupiers to create hazardous zones that could lead to injuries or fatalities among civilians.

Furthermore, it is important to note that the 'Prjanik' mine is smaller than the anti-personnel blast mine 'Pelyustka', yet it possesses greater explosive power. This further elevates the risks for individuals who find themselves within the operational radius of these mines.

The Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Kherson region has also confirmed that the enemy is actively dispersing such explosive devices in significant quantities, which considerably heightens the risk for the civilian population. This situation has raised serious concerns among local residents, who have repeatedly fallen victim to similar incidents.

Additionally, on March 29, Oleksiy (Flash) Beskrestnov, an advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, published a video showing a Russian drone dropping mines. “The video captures the drop occurring 50 kilometers from the border,” Beskrestnov clarified in the description of the footage. He also warned that approaching the mines is strictly prohibited, as it could lead to tragic consequences.

This situation underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by the new types of mines being employed by Russian occupiers. In the ongoing war, it is crucial for local residents to be aware of the dangers and take precautionary measures to avoid tragedies.