We tell you how to spot a mine, what to do and who to turn to for help.
Mines are a dangerous weapon that most often strikes civilians. So, since 1975, mines have killed or maimed more than a million people, writes Kunsht. During military conflicts, both critical infrastructure (roads, areas under high-voltage transmission lines, water supply systems, thermal power plants) and ordinary fields, forests and reservoirs are mined. In any case, they are trying to hide the mine.
In UN Office for the coordination of humanitarian issues Ukraine is considered one of the most mined countries in the world . This status she received before the full-scale invasion of Russia. Even before February 24, about 2 million people were at risk every day due to their place of residence.
What are mines?
Mine – anti-personnel, anti-tank, anti-aircraft or other type of ammunition, consisting of an explosive charge and a detonator. Among landmines, the most common are high-explosive and debris mines . High-explosive mines are usually dug up shallowly or left lying on the ground. They are activated and explode if an object weighing more than 10 kilograms is pressed against the surface plate. Debris mines fly within a radius of 200 meters. They can detonate both from direct contact (pressure, attack, impact) and from the action of the physical field (magnetic, acoustic, radio, etc.).
The Truth and Fiction About Mines The films we are used to are often misleading about the mechanics of mines. It is important to understand how these munitions actually work.
Myth. If someone has already walked through a minefield and survived, everyone can go there too.
True. No. Land that has mines can change its structure over time. It may freeze or erode. This affects the sensitivity of the mine. Sometimes activation requires you to step on a mine several times. In addition, there is a possibility that those who passed in front of you were just lucky not to run into a mine. However, this does not mean that walking in such a field is safe.
Myth. If you run or drive too fast, the mine will not work.
True. The mine is activated within seconds of contacting or pressing. You can't run or drive faster than an explosion.
Myth. If you step on a mine, it will not explode until you remove your foot. You have to take your foot off carefully, put something heavy on the mine and run away.
True. They only do that in the movies. Mines explode from contact: touch, overheating, pressure, etc. Also, do not believe that cutting the wire can neutralize the mine. It is likely to explode from the slightest change in wire tension.
In 90% of cases, civilians fall victim to mines. How to protect yourself from mines?
The most important rule of mine safety – if possible, do not approach the battlefield. If you are in a danger zone, follow the recommendations of the UN and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine:
- Keep common sense and if possible do not approach places where active or active combat is conducted. actions.
- Do not approach any suspicious objects , as well as abandoned military equipment, cars, pieces of equipment, etc.
- Do not pick up no land things, unless you're sure it fell out of your pocket or bag.
- If you're traveling by car, don't get off the main road on the roadside or in the woods. Make sure you have a lot of cars on this road in front of you. Avoid asphalt roads, because it is more difficult to hide mines there. Try to go around potholes and potholes on the roads, because they can serve as a hiding place for mines. Be especially vigilant near critical infrastructure, such as bridges or multi-level interchanges.
Critical infrastructure is usually overlooked, so it is extremely dangerous to approach it in wartime. However, what to do if you are in a minefield?
If you find yourself in a minefield, follow these tips:
- Don't move . If you are in a field or forest where it is easy to hide a mine, you should stay put, as the next step may be an explosive device.
- Call for help . The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine does not recommend the use of mobile phones, as some explosive devices can be activated by a radio signal. So try to attract attention with your voice and ask people nearby to call 101 or 102.
- Remember the area . While you're waiting for help, try to remember what's nearby. Do not try to leave marks in dangerous areas, do not place or bury any signs in the ground.
- If your car is hit by a mine but has not been life-threatening (for example, if there is no fire in the car), UN experts recommend staying inside. When you get out of the car, you run the risk of bumping into other mines. If the car catches fire or you cannot stay inside for other reasons, carefully go around the car in the back and keep to the road you took before the explosion.
- Keep calm . Don't panic and wait for help.
What to do if you see an explosive object?
If you see an explosive or suspicious object on the road:
- Never try to lift an object , study more carefully or disassemble.
- Warn about finding people nearby.
- If you find an object on an asphalt road, carefully try to mark this place clothes, sticks or stones. But do it without approaching the subject. Do not try to dig or kill anything near the object.
- If you are sure that the road behind you is safe (paved, without potholes and potholes), carefully move away from the object at least less than 100 meters.
- Call 101 or 102 and wait for help.
What to do if you see that someone blew up a mine?
If you saw someone blow up a mine:
- Under no circumstances do not approach the victim . You run the risk of falling into a minefield and putting yourself in danger.
- Call 101, 102 and/or 103 , call for help.
- Talk to the victim from afar . Say they called for help. Ask not to move and keep calm.
- Remember the time and place of the explosion, the number of wounded, the nature of the explosion. Pass this information to rescuers when they arrive.
- If you are near an injured person and medical personnel are unable to reach the site of the explosion, stop the bleeding yourself . Try applying tourniquets to stop the bleeding. You can also compress the femoral artery for leg injuries or the axillary artery for arm injuries, and bandage the wound with clothing. Check your breathing. Talk to the person. If possible, cover the person with a blanket, give him water, and you can also give the person painkillers. Transport the person to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
Read also: Business Insider: Mines near Kyiv can tell a lot about Russia's defeat
It will be recalled that on April 1 it became known that The Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated 15 settlements in Kyiv region . Among them were Dimer, Bucha, Irpin, Gostomel and others. At the same time, so many settlements were liberated in Chernihiv region. The occupiers left behind destroyed houses, destroyed cars and mined items. The Ukrainian military warned that mines could be found not only in specific buildings, but also in children's toys, backpacks and other items. The Russian military does not adhere to any international regulations or principles of warfare. More about life in the occupied town of Dymer , psychologist and doctor Olga Simonova told the editor of the social department at ZN.UA Alla Kotlyar . >
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