More than 500,000 anti-tank mines have been installed in northern Ukraine

The commander of the United Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Serhiy Naev, announced that since June 2022, more than 500,000 anti-tank mines have been installed on the probable lines of attack of the Russian army from the north. This was reported to the command of the United Forces.

“From the beginning of June 2022 to the present, more than 500,000 anti-tank mines have been installed on the main directions of a possible enemy offensive. Anti-tank mine fields and groups of anti-tank mines were created. Sets of anti-personnel mines, explosive devices, landmines, minefields, etc., were installed. The density of mine-explosive barriers in the northern operational zone was increased 16 times, and at the same time, non-explosive barriers were installed, and transport infrastructure facilities, including bridges and roads, were prepared for destruction"
Lieutenant General Serhiy Naev said.

According to him, as part of the “stabilization action”, engineering equipment for the defense line was implemented, including fortification equipment and a system of engineering barriers.

Moreover, in accordance with the decision of the Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters, work on the fortification equipment of the second-line positions is continued with the active participation of local authorities.

“Together, we are creating conditions to make the state border of Ukraine in the northern operational zone completely impenetrable to enemy forces. In close cooperation with the heads of military administration, we build military engineering, technical, and fortification facilities and install additional camera surveillance. These works were carried out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year"
said Lt. Gen.

He added that permanent cooperation with the military administration was also organized on the protection of critical infrastructure facilities, in particular the construction of additional fortifications and equipment and increasing the number of mobile anti-aircraft fire groups.

Moreover, according to Naev, "anti-sabotage reserves were created on the border of the Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts on the Russian side to fight hostile DRGs." In the most dangerous directions, the use of engineering obstacles, terrain control, and observation measures, and aerial reconnaissance are implemented.

Mine – still an effective weapon

Mines are cheap and reliable weapons, but also a very controversial combat system, although the anti-tank version is still not prohibited by any agreements (e.g. the Ottawa Convention). Mines are an important element of the anti-tank defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

As a means of combat, mines have always been associated with simple construction and principles of use, as well as high effectiveness, especially where they were used in a thoughtful and rational manner. The initially simple design evolved over time to meet the new requirements of the dynamically changing battlefield, but also the methods of detecting and eliminating minefields and barriers. The mines currently used are often very complex systems with modern solutions, but they are still an economical and effective combat weapon.