Ukrainian police have reported that Russian troops are scattering a new type of improvised antipersonnel mine in Kherson.
Russia’s continued attacks and drone-deployed remote mining operations have made Kherson extremely dangerous for civilians, with daily life shaped by the constant risk of strikes and explosive hazards.
The new devices have 3D-printed plastic casings wrapped in camouflaged tape, making them resemble small “candies” and difficult to detect in vegetation.
Plastic mines detonated by pressure
Volodymyr Perepelytsia, head of the explosive ordnance department of the National Police in Kherson, said the new mines are an upgraded version of earlier “candy” mines previously used by Russian forces.
“They are printed on a 3D printer. Inside is explosive material, a detonator, and everything needed for it to function. It works like a PFM: when someone steps on it or a vehicle passes over, the plastic bends or sometimes breaks, causing an explosion,” Perepelytsia said.
He explained that the triggering system relies on an electrical circuit rather than a purely mechanical fuse, which increases its responsiveness to pressure.
According to Perepelytsia, testing showed that approximately seven kilograms of pressure is enough to activate the device. That level is well within the weight exerted by an adult stepping on it, posing a high risk of severe injury.
“There is enough explosive material in it to tear off a foot. Unfortunately, it contains an explosive that shatters everything in its path: skin, tissue, bone, metal. It doesn’t matter to it,” Perepelytsia said.
He added that the current devices are larger than previous versions and contain a greater amount of explosive material.
New mines may signal shortage of conventional "butterfly" mines
Perepelytsia noted that the use of these mines may indicate an attempt to compensate for a shortage of PFM-1 mines, also known as “butterfly” mines.
He also said the camouflage fabric absorbs sunlight rather than reflecting it, further masking the devices in grass. In recent cases, Russian forces have dropped the mines onto soft surfaces so the plastic casing does not break on impact, making them harder to detect.
“These munitions we have encountered in different parts of Kherson,” Perepelytsia said.
Authorities are urging residents of the region to exercise maximum caution, avoid unknown routes, and report any suspicious objects to the relevant services.
Kherson remains among Ukraine's most dangerous cities
Since its liberation from Russian occupation in late 2022, Kherson has remained one of the most dangerous cities in Ukraine. Russian forces continue to remotely mine civilian areas, conduct drone and artillery strikes, and target non-combatants, causing deaths and injuries.
The city sits on the Dnipro River, directly across from Russian-occupied territory, where strikes are frequently launched from. These conditions make movement and daily life extremely hazardous for residents.
