Russia Is Now Using New Disguised Mines in Kherson, Posing Threat to Civilians

Russian forces are deploying a new type of combined-effect mine in Kherson, disguised as an object wrapped in cloth, according to local authorities.

Yaroslav Shanko, head of the Kherson City Military Administration, said on April 8 the devices are being dropped over the city, posing a threat to both civilians and infrastructure.

Specialists are currently studying the characteristics of the explosive. Preliminary information indicates that the mine is electronically controlled and designed to target both personnel and vehicles.

The duration of its self-destruction mechanism, if activated, remains unknown.

Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution and avoid approaching any suspicious objects. Citizens are advised to keep a distance of at least 30 meters and not to touch or move such items.

The emergence of these devices is part of a broader shift in the types of explosives being used against the city.

According to Ukrainian police, Russian forces have been dispersing 3D-printed anti-personnel mines across Kherson, often concealed in camouflage fabric to make them harder to detect. Volodymyr Perepelytsia, head of the explosive ordnance disposal unit of the National Police in the Kherson region, said the devices are a modified version of the previously used “Pryanyk” mines.

Perepelytsia noted that the devices use a 3D-printed casing equipped with an advanced electrical initiation system, which is more sensitive than conventional mechanical triggers.

Despite their improvised appearance, the mines are highly dangerous. Specialists say the activation threshold is extremely low, making them easily triggered by civilians.

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“We tested this mine. The average activation pressure is seven kilograms. That is enough that any adult person, stepping on it, would risk very serious injuries. There is enough explosive in it to tear off a foot. Because, unfortunately, it contains an explosive substance that shatters everything in its path: skin, tissues, bones, metal. It doesn't care,” Perepelytsia said.

Authorities also report that the mines are often deployed using drones, allowing them to be scattered over wide areas. They are typically dropped onto soft ground or vegetation to prevent damage on impact, while the fabric covering reduces visibility by absorbing light, further complicating detection.

The use of newly identified devices follows a pattern of continued mine deployment in the region. Local authorities reported that Russian forces have again been dispersing PFM-1 “butterfly” mines across Kherson, dropping them from drones into urban areas.

According to the regional administration, these explosives pose a particular threat due to their small size and shape, which allow them to blend easily into grass, dirt, and fallen leaves.

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