Ukraine gathers evidence on Russia’s mine use against civilians

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) reports.

The article emphasizes that Russia's use of mines against Ukrainian civilians is a violation of international law, laws and customs of war.

Since February 24, 2022, over 1,000 civilians have been injured by Russian mines, with 297 killed. Many of them are children.

According to the investigation, the Russian Federation deliberately creates mine traps on the territory of settlements in or near the combat zone. To disguise them, the Russians use consumer items, including children's toys and candy boxes.

The Russian army uses mines against civilians in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions the most, namely high-explosive and fragmentation anti-personnel mines: PFM-1, PMN-2, OZM-72, and MON-50.

After receiving sufficient evidence, the issue of transferring the materials to the International Criminal Court in The Hague will be decided.

"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 underway to bring war criminals to justice," the Security Service added.

• On May 1, it was reported that 297 people, including 15 children, were killed in Ukraine as a result of the detonation of explosive devices left by Russians.