How Russia's World War 2 defence tactics are hampering Ukraine's counteroffensive

Ukraine's anticipated summer counteroffensive has confronted a significant challenge—Russian forces have employed extensive minefields and booby traps reminiscent of World War 2 defence techniques.

Initially used by Nazi Germany against the Allied forces during the continental Europe landings, these tactics are now proving to be formidable obstacles, substantially impeding the advancement of Ukrainian troops.

As Ukrainians strive to surmount these hazardous barriers, the shortcomings of existing mine-clearing equipment and the perils faced by sappers on the frontlines have become increasingly evident.

Ukraine says the density of Russian mines is "insane" and that lowers expectations for a counter-offensive. pic.twitter.com/kx0VNmG79p

— Sprinter (@Sprinter99800) August 3, 2023

According to Human Rights Watch, Russian forces have utilized approximately 13 types of antipersonnel mines across 27 Ukrainian regions, including Chernihivska, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkivska, Khersonska, Kyivska, Luhanska, Mykolaivska, Odeska, and Zaporizka, since February 2022.

Russian use of minefields

• Russian troops have strategically positioned minefields across multiple defensive lines along the Ukrainian front, creating a complex challenge for Ukrainian forces and local communities.
• Greg Crowther, the director of programs for the Mines Advisory Group, stated to The Washington Post, "The sheer quantity of ordnance in Ukraine is unprecedented in the last 30 years. There's nothing like it."
• Rob Lee, a senior fellow with the Foreign Policy Research Institute, noted that the initial phase of Kyiv's counteroffensive resulted in notable casualties and delays due to these 'innovative' minefield placements.
• Booby traps have emerged as a significant threat, particularly for sappers tasked with landmine clearance and ensuring safe passage for vehicles and troops.
• Ukrainian sappers have encountered instances where Russian soldiers' bodies were rigged with PM mines (a Soviet-era anti-personnel mine) concealed beneath the corpses.

#Ukraine #LandMines #RussianForces #Danger #DeadlyThreat
https://t.co/lSykP08BXt

— aajail 🇩🇪 (@yassineaajail) July 30, 2023

• Ukrainian sappers recount instances where they discovered Russian soldiers' bodies booby-trapped with PM mines (a Soviet-era anti-personnel mine), which were concealed beneath the corpses.
• According to the Ukrainian army, Russians have been mining anything and everything including doors, boxes and crates, even toys. They are said to use their own dead too, to prey on the Ukrainian medics who come to get the fallen bodies.
• As a result, the Ukrainian front hospitals have seen an influx of wounded sappers and soldiers who might not even stand up ever again, resulting in a depletion of forces.
• "We lose one sapper every day, either wounded or dead. It's a dangerous job. And whether a whole brigade is advancing or around 12 guys go out on their mission, it's always the sappers that go first. It's very dangerous," said Volodymyr, a Ukrainian sapper, to Reuters.
• This treacherous tactic has led to the loss of sappers on a daily basis and has forced commanders to exercise extreme caution during the counter-offensive, in turn, restricting the march ahead to less than five square miles in a week.

Are there enough mine-cleaning tools?

• Despite attempts to clear paths through the minefields using existing mine-clearing vehicles, Ukrainian forces have encountered antitank capabilities deployed by Russia, exposing their vulnerabilities.
• Unfortunately, mine-clearing technology has not evolved as rapidly as other areas of warfare, leaving Ukrainian troops with limited options to deal with the problem posed by WW2 days techniques, said Mick Ryan, a retired Australian army major general to the NYT.

This picture shows "Spider" anti-mine boots, that were handed out to the Ukrainian assault infantry to walk through the minefields. Protects limbs from mines PFN-1 "Petal", PMN and PMN-2.

Attack in high heels? Why not! European-style beautiful!

sun dress optional. but i better… pic.twitter.com/2eHpiHgxcQ

— name cannot be blank (@UNDERTHEBED) July 28, 2023

• As we speak, Ukraine has reportedly unveiled a new demining machine which can disarm anti-personnel & anti-tank mines.
• Ukrainian defence manufacturing, in response, is coming up with kitten hooks and spider boots. Spider boots are metallic boot strap-ons that have metallic legs so that the mine doesn't go off exactly beneath the sapper.

Ukraine has created its first vehicle for mine clearance

Production of the Kharkov development will begin in the near future - the vehicle will neutralize anti-personnel and anti-tank mines.

At the moment, 20 special vehicles are engaged in mine clearance of territories.

1/ pic.twitter.com/TJPibhyk1H

— Leandro Romão 🇵🇹 (@lromao_ptbr) August 3, 2023

• To keep the offensive pace up, the Ukrainians, in the last few weeks have started to try and make divided attacks through the frontlines.

However, experts caution that if Ukraine's successes are limited to only one front, Russia may concentrate their reserves there, further hindering the counteroffensive progress.

A 1997 Mine Ban Treaty specifically bans the use of antipersonnel mines but does not extend to anti-vehicle mines or command-detonated (remote-controlled) mines. Therefore, the use of mines, in one way or another other continues.

Both the Russians and Ukrainians have been involved in using prohibited mines during the ongoing war, with both sides possessing significant stockpiles inherited from the Cold War era, says Human Rights Watch.

As the conflict continues, the resilience and determination of Ukrainian forces, coupled with advancements in mine-clearing technology, will play a crucial role in overcoming these obstacles. Until then, the risks and sacrifices faced by sappers in their dangerous mission underscore the magnitude of the situation on the front lines.