Ukraine's Deadly Landmine Crisis: Civilians Facing Grave Danger

Ukraine Becomes World's Most Mine-Contaminated Nation as Russia Weaponizes Explosive Remnants

Ukraine now ranks among the world's most heavily mined countries, with explosive devices scattered across a quarter of its territory—an area larger than England. As Russian forces continue dropping mines via drones and retreating troops leave behind deadly traps, Ukrainian communities face a hidden war that will outlast any ceasefire by decades.

The New Geography of Terror

In Shostka, northeastern Ukraine, less than 50 kilometers from the Russian border, residents live under a double threat. Beyond the constant bombardment and drone strikes, unexploded ordnance transforms everyday spaces into potential death traps. Roads once safely traveled for years now hide freshly planted mines, dropped by drones or scattered by missile explosions.

Elizaveta Kiselyova, a 21-year-old explosives expert from Shostka, describes the evolving threat: "A few days ago, there were 40 drones flying over us. These drones can drop mines, so even if nothing explodes immediately, there's always the possibility of something detonating later."

The randomness has become routine. Two weeks prior to her interview, a family died on a road they had used for years—killed by a landmine likely placed by drone. Local activists report that mine incidents occur so frequently that some residents no longer bother reporting them.

The Retreating Army's Deadly Legacy

Russian forces have systematically weaponized their withdrawals, turning civilian infrastructure into what experts call "death traps." This strategy mirrors tactics used by retreating armies throughout history but represents an unprecedented scale of civilian targeting in modern European warfare.

Lyudmila Krivorotko's family became victims of this calculated cruelty. In winter 2022, fleeing their newly liberated but still-targeted town in Kherson, they sought refuge with relatives. The Russian army had mined civilian evacuation routes during their withdrawal. When Krivorotko's car hit one of these devices, two of her children—aged 19 and 22—died instantly.

"My youngest daughter was severely injured, and my son Mykhailo, 14, suffered a brain concussion," Krivorotko recalls. "We were pulled from the car after I lost consciousness." Two years later, their bodies remain covered in scars, and she adds: "We have no safe place to go. The war has destroyed everywhere."

The "Butterfly" Mine Phenomenon

Among the most insidious weapons found across Ukraine are small, butterfly-shaped explosives—a design Soviet forces first deployed in Afghanistan. These devices specifically target civilians, particularly children drawn to their toy-like appearance. The psychological warfare element is deliberate: create long-term terror that persists long after military objectives are achieved.

Since the war began, at least 1,000 people have been injured and 359 killed by mines and explosive war remnants, including at least 18 children, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. UN mine expert Paul Heslop estimates over one million mines now litter Ukrainian territory.

"Russian forces have booby-trapped parts of the country on a massive scale during their withdrawal," Heslop explains. "This includes larger pressure-plate landmines containing between five and 10 kilograms of explosives, designed to be triggered by vehicles, cars, tanks, and military trucks."

Strategic Implications: The Ottawa Convention Exodus

Ukraine's recent withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention—which regulates and restricts most types of landmines—signals a broader regional security shift. Joining Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in this move, Ukraine cites Russian threats as justification.

This development mirrors similar strategic recalculations seen during the Cold War, when frontline states prioritized immediate security over international humanitarian commitments. The decision reflects Ukraine's recognition that conventional warfare rules may be inadequate against an adversary willing to systematically target civilians.

Andriy Danik, responsible for Ukraine's demining efforts, frames the dilemma: "Under asymmetric threat, Ukraine is forced to ensure an adequate level of defensive capability. However, humanitarian demining remains one of the state's policy priorities."

The Economic and Social Reckoning

The contamination extends far beyond immediate casualties. In Sumy region, agricultural fields that once fed local communities must be abandoned. Gardens and forests have become hazardous zones. The economic impact resembles post-conflict scenarios in Cambodia or Angola, where mine contamination stunted development for generations.

For international investors and reconstruction planners, Ukraine's mine problem represents a massive hidden liability. Demining operations will require decades and billions in funding, potentially delaying post-war recovery and foreign investment. The complexity exceeds anything previously encountered in modern conflict zones.

A War That Outlasts Wars

Unlike conventional military campaigns with clear endpoints, mine warfare creates permanent battlefields. Elizaveta Kiselyova now works with the Ukrainian Red Cross, conducting educational activities to help Shostka residents navigate their transformed landscape. Her work represents the new reality: communities learning to live indefinitely with lethal uncertainty.

The strategic calculus is clear—Russia has created a weapon that will continue killing Ukrainian civilians long after any potential ceasefire. This represents not just a military tactic but a form of temporal warfare, projecting violence across decades to undermine Ukraine's post-conflict recovery and territorial integrity.