Today, on 13 March, a 40-year-old civilian exploded on an anti-personnel mine in Snizhkivka village, Izium district of Kharkiv Oblast, Kharkiv RMA head reported.

The man stepped on a PFM-1 mine near a field. As a result of the explosion, he sustained shrapnel wounds and an explosive injury. He was hospitalized in moderate condition.

“Once again, I urge everyone to be as careful and cautious as possible, because the enemy has left a lot of mines and other explosive devices in the de-occupied territories. Please refrain from visiting forests, forest belts, rivers, fields, etc. All these areas are potentially dangerous”, Kharkiv RMA head Oleh Syniehubov emphasized.

Kharkiv Oblast is one of the most contaminated with explosive devices, with Kupiansk, Vovchansk and Izium forestries being the most affected. From the beginning of the war till 15 February, at least 178 people were injured by mines in the region, 52 of them killed.

To reduce the risk of injury or death to children, UNICEF, together with Ukrainian ministries, launched the All About Mine Safety website for parents, teachers and children.

More details: The PFM-1 land mine is a type of high-explosive anti-personnel mine produced by the Soviet Union and Russia. It goes by several names, including the Green Parrot and the Butterfly Mine. These mines can be scattered in large numbers from helicopters, aeroplanes, and mortars. They glide to the ground without detonating and only explode upon contact at a later time.

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