UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, June 6 — A mine explosion injured a 33-year-old man in Izium district, Kharkiv region, the State Emergency Service (SES) press service reported.

Rescuers said the man stepped on a PFM-1 “Petal” mine in the central cemetery. Russians often use this anti-personnel landmine that is triggered by pressure. It is very dangerous because it can be disguised as grass or foliage.

Ukraine is currently one of the most mined countries in the world. Due to the Russian full-scale invasion, more than one fourth of Ukraine’s territory is potentially affected by explosives.

Since the start of the full-scale war, pyrotechicians units of the SES have inspected about 7,000 hectares of territory and found and defused more than 94,000 explosive devices.

Kharkiv Oblast is one of the most heavily mined regions. Among the most dangerous communities due to mining are the borderline communities of Vovchansk, Vilkhuvata, Petropavlivka, and Borova. 

More than 570,000 hectares of land in the Kharkiv region need to be inspected for mines and explosive devices after the Russian occupation. About 1.2 million hectares are considered to be contaminated. 

According to Oleh Syniehubov, 138 sapper teams are working on demining the region — and, to accelerate the process, another 300 are needed.

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  • On May 1, at 12:10 a.m., a tractor hit an explosive device near the village of Hlynske, Izium district of Kharkiv region, reported the Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov. The explosion injured a 46-year-old driver.