war in Ukraine
POM-3 Medallion – Russia uses smart mines that are almost impossible to clear
The POM-3 mine is anything but inconspicuous.
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Ukraine is at risk of landmine contamination. Dangerous intelligent mines of the POM-3 type were found near Kharkov. For civilians, old-fashioned “dumb” mines are likely to be more dangerous.
Near Kharkov, Ukrainian soldiers found Russian anti-personnel mines of a new, modern type. The Russian POM-3 medallion is a smart mine equipped with sensors. What does that mean? A conventional mine is usually triggered by pressure on the surface. An anti-personnel mine detonates when stepped on. At least in most cases, such mines can also be combined with tripwires and similar mechanical triggers. The POM-3, on the other hand, is equipped with seismic sensors that respond to human footsteps. If the mine detects a person nearby, it kicks into action.
Jump mine with high effectiveness
The POM-3 belongs to the so-called spring mines. If triggered, it will not explode into the ground. An explosion in the ground only acts directly upwards. A Jump Mine first bounces into the air and detonates at a low altitude, allowing its shrapnel to be effective over a larger area. The POM-3 is not flat like a mine, it is shaped like a cylinder and weighs 1.8 kilograms. It explodes at a height of 1 to 1.5 meters. The POM-3 is deadly in a 18 meter radius.
Where is the military advantage of the POM-3? Each sensory mine blocks a larger portion of the ground than a touch fuse model. Only a fraction of the explosive devices are needed to block a field. For traditional mines to be effective, they must be carefully laid by hand just below the surface of the ground, and few soldiers will step directly on a mine lying on the grass. The POM-3, on the other hand, is launched from a rocket launcher. Above the target, a transport container releases the mines, they fall to the ground with a parachute and then get stuck in the ground and stand up.
Hard to clear in combat conditions
If one looks at the confrontation in the Donbass, it is to be expected that mines and booby traps of all kinds will also be used on a large scale in the Ukraine war. They are generally a strong threat to civilians. Sensor mines also have the disadvantage that they cannot be cleared in the conventional way, as the deminer cannot approach them. They require a different technique. When a large number of mines like the POM-3 appear, it is expected that the sensors will be tricked and a small robot, for example, mimics the seismic frequency of human footsteps and detonates the mines. Basically, smart mines are easier to clear after the end of the battle. Individual soldiers, on the other hand, can hardly get them out of the way during combat operations, also because the sensors provide protection against being picked up: If the mine is moved or lifted, it will explode. The POM-3 therefore stops an enemy advance over a wide area and reliably, and it can also be used to protect bases.
How is the use of the mine to be assessed legally?
Contrary to what is often reported, mines are not “banned”. You can say they are outlawed or “banned” in English. In the so-called Ottawa Agreement, the signatory states undertake to refrain from using, storing and producing anti-personnel mines. Mines against vehicles are not covered by the agreement. The problem is the word “signatory”. Russia has never joined the agreement, so the agreement does not bind Moscow. Ukraine signed the agreement, but it is no secret that Kyiv has also deployed mine barrages on the contact line in Donbass, ignoring the agreement. Russian and separatist troops advancing in the current war have encountered booby traps set by Ukrainian soldiers of the type typically used in retreats. Enemy mines are encountered only when advancing in an area previously controlled by the enemy. So, the Kiev troops are only now encountering mines after the partial withdrawal of Russian troops.
There is also another point: mines were not banned in a war zone because of their effect. After all, death by mortar shell is no less agonizing. They have been ostracized because they lurk in the earth long after hostilities have ended. Even mines from World War II can still explode. This legacy can make entire areas uninhabitable for a long time and hits civilians in particular. This objection does not apply to smart mines like the POM-3. Since the sensors are dependent on a battery supply, they always have a limited service life. The POM-3 also has a timer that can be used to set the service life in stages. If it expires, the mine will explode underground. In accordance with the Ottawa Convention, a modern mine like the POM-3 is far less of a problem than the cheap, older models that stay sharp for ages.
Hidden traps far more insidious
The POM-3 also lacks another quirk of mine warfare, insidiousness. Classic touch mines and booby traps are intentionally placed in such a way that the victim is undetectable and unknowingly triggers them. A classic example is the “mining” of refrigerators, toilet seats and doors in evacuated villages. Unlike covert mines and booby traps, the POM-3 is visible. On the one hand, the parachutes on which the mines go down remain as a warning, on the other hand, the mine tube aligns itself vertically above the ground. Their use is not primarily aimed at inflicting losses on the opponent as a trap, but at blocking large areas for a certain period of time. As a result, old-fashioned mines, laid covertly with a certain sadism, may pose a far greater threat to civilians in Ukraine.