Direct proof of use
Human Rights Watch documented landmine use in Ukraine after Russia's February 24, 2022 full-scale invasion, including at least 13 types of antipersonnel mines used by Russian forces and extensive anti-vehicle mine use by both Russian and Ukrainian forces. HRW also documented Ukrainian forces' apparent repeated use of rocket-delivered PFM-series antipersonnel mines around Russian-occupied Izium during the summer of 2022.
Landmine Monitor's Ukraine profile summarizes the same conflict-use pattern: Russia has used antipersonnel mines extensively in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, while Ukraine was investigating reports that its forces used rocket-delivered PFM-1 mines around Izium in 2022.
Sources: HRW Landmine Use in Ukraine, Ukraine Mine Ban Policy
Timeline
Before 2022, mines and explosive remnants were already a persistent danger along the Donetsk and Luhansk front. An OSCE Special Monitoring Mission thematic report covering November 2019 to March 2021 corroborated civilian casualties from mines, unexploded ordnance, and other explosive objects in eastern Ukraine.
After the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, HRW reported hand-emplaced, mechanically laid, truck-scattered, and rocket-delivered mines in Ukraine. In September and October 2022, HRW researchers investigated PFM mine use around Izium after Ukrainian forces retook the area; in January 2023 the organization reported PFM mine use in nine areas and verified 11 civilian casualties from those mines.
Sources: OSCE Mines and UXO in Eastern Ukraine, HRW Landmine Use in Ukraine, HRW Izium PFM Investigation
Narrative
Landmines in the war have served several overlapping battlefield functions: anti-personnel area denial, anti-vehicle obstruction, route interdiction, and force protection around positions and retreats. HRW reported that Russian forces used factory-produced antipersonnel mines, anti-vehicle mines, and victim-activated booby traps, while both Russian and Ukrainian forces used anti-vehicle mines in multiple regions. The documented delivery methods included hand emplacement, mechanical laying, truck-mounted projectors, and remote delivery by rockets.
The clearest public case attributed to Ukrainian use is the Izium area. HRW found physical evidence of PFM-series mines, remnants, and Uragan-series rocket components, and said several rocket motors indicated firing from territory controlled by Ukrainian forces at the time. The report also noted that Russian forces had occupied Izium until early September 2022 and that HRW did not document PFM use there after September 10.
Later humanitarian and rights reporting described continuing effects from mine use. Amnesty International reported in July 2024 that its fieldwork found evidence Russian forces had deployed antipersonnel mines in or near residential areas in Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv oblasts. Humanity & Inclusion's 2026 factsheet summarized ongoing civilian-harm and contamination concerns, including Ukraine's investigation into reported PFM-1 use around Izium and later reports of U.S. antipersonnel mine transfers to Ukraine.
Sources: HRW Landmine Use in Ukraine, HRW Izium PFM Investigation, Amnesty Ukraine Russia Antipersonnel Mines, HI Landmine Use in Ukraine Factsheet
