Brave Ukrainians use twigs and car tyres to detonate landmines left by Russians
3 August 2022, 15:06 | Updated: 3 August 2022, 15:09
Man in Ukraine throws tyre onto landmine to detonate it
Ukrainians are resorting to unconventional methods of clearing landmines, such as poking them with sticks and throwing car tyres at them.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Hundreds of deadly explosives have been left behind by Russian forces as they retreated from parts of Ukraine.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) says at least seven types of landmines have been left in at least four regions of Ukraine - Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv and Sumy.
The organisation says some of the landmines left include 'victim-activated booby traps', which explode when disturbed by an individual.
Read more: Jeremy Corbyn criticises UK for sending weapons to Ukraine and 'prolonging' Russia's invasion
Read more: Ukrainian refugee told to declare herself homeless in order to get on council housing list
Video footage shared on social media has shown Ukrainians getting creative when dealing with the explosives.
One video shows a Ukrainian man throwing a large brick into the undergrowth, causing a landmine left there to explode.
I would like to emphasises that "throw a brick on it" is not a recommended way to dispose of PFM-1 anti-personnel mines. pic.twitter.com/v3zvFGMN53
— Nick Waters (@N_Waters89) August 2, 2022
In another video, a Ukrainian soldier can be seen throwing an old car tyre.
A landmine explodes as the tyre lands on it just a few feet from where the soldier is standing, launching the tyre high into the air.
In a third video, a man uses a long stick to hit the tarmac in front of him, causing a landmine to explode.
Another example. 2/https://t.co/Mak1T4aXeJ pic.twitter.com/0up4N6yTVs
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) July 31, 2022
The exact number of landmines left behind by Russian forces is not known.
The HRW says there is "no credible" evidence that Ukrainian forces have used landmines against Russia.
Read more: First grain ship leaves Ukraine under landmark Russia deal
Read more: Three British men to stand trial in Russia-backed separatist court accused of being mercenaries
De-mining charity the Halo Trust is currently combing areas around the Ukrainian capital for the deadly explosives.
The charity has been working in eastern Ukraine since 2016 and is also working on educating civilians, especially children, about the risk of landmines.
It has received £2 million in funding to support its life-saving work from the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
