Russian armed forces have used banned antipersonnel mines, according to the statement of Human Rights Watch on Tuesday, and used them in the eastern Kharkiv region in Ukraine.
Ukrainian mine clearers discovered the antipersonnel mines on Monday. Contrary to anti-tank mines (which are designed for use against tanks or vehicles), antipersonnel mines are designed to target humans. While Russia is known to have these mines, Ukraine does not, the human rights organisation confirmed.
"Countries around the world should condemn Russia's use of banned antipersonnel landmines in Ukraine," said Steve Goose, the arms director of Human Rights Watch, emphasising that no distinction will be made between civilians and military groups.
Russian forces in #Ukraine have used banned antipersonnel mines in the eastern Kharkiv region.
Verified by Human Rights Watch: https://t.co/zTfcaZmvHI pic.twitter.com/L2hKp2hcze — Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) March 30, 2022
According to Human Rights Watch, Russia is making use of a new type of mine, 'the POM-3', also known as 'The Medallion'. The sensor of the weapon detects the approach of its target, and its released metal fragments can kill people located within a radius of 16 metres. The weapon can self-destruct after hours or even days.
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Banned in 164 countries
Ukraine is among the 163 countries that have signed the 1997 international Mine Ban Treaty, which bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of antipersonnel mines. Russia, however, has not signed the agreement. It is considered a rare occurrence that Russia would use these weapons on the territory of a country that is party to the treaty.
Still, this is not the first time Russia made use of antipersonnel mines. Human Rights Watch has reported on Russia's use of explosives in more than 30 countries, including Syria (2011-2019), Ukraine (2014-2015) and Libya (2020). "The use of antipersonnel mines deliberately flouts the international norm against use of these horrid weapons," Human Rights Watch said.
