Russia’s recent strikes on Ukraine have involved the use of magnetic mines to intensify the attacks, experts say. The threat was observed during bombardments along the Kovel–Kyiv rail line.
Electronic warfare and communications expert Sergey “Flash” Beskrestnov said in a Facebook post that about half of the Shahed-type drones that targeted the railway in recent days carried magnetic mines, which were dropped into the snow.
He added that these mines only self-deactivate after several days, meaning explosive devices dropped on January 12 could still detonate soon. Beskrestnov urged relevant services to factor in this risk during patrols and area inspections.
A day earlier, the main directorate of the National Police in Poltava region reported that amid the war, the Russians are increasingly using unmanned aerial vehicles to remotely seed mines. Specifically, officers cited PTM-3 anti-tank mines that are dropped from drones during attacks.
Artem Bondarenko, head of the Poltava police’s explosive ordnance service, said these mines are hard to detect and can detonate even without direct contact. The devices use magnetic fuzes and pose a threat to vehicles and people when the magnetic field changes.
Even if a drone crashes without exploding, it may contain additional mines or sensors that trigger when metal objects or vehicles come near, police warned.
If you encounter a suspicious item, authorities advise leaving it in place, avoiding any movement or contact, and calling 102 or 101. From a safe distance, mark the location to protect others.
“The enemy is cynically using drones to remotely mine civilian areas with PTM-3 anti-tank mines. Such explosive devices are difficult to detect, and they can detonate without direct contact. We urge citizens to be extremely vigilant, avoid approaching suspicious objects, and immediately report any finds by calling 102 or 101. Remember: caution and adherence to mine safety rules save lives,” Bondarenko said.
Beskrestnov previously reported that Russian forces had begun dropping PTM-3 mines from Shahed-type UAVs, noting that the mine is released near the drone’s own crash point.
