2014 Russia-Ukraine War

MON-50 in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War

Russian-backed armed groups and Russian forces have been documented with MON-50 directional antipersonnel mines in Ukraine, including 2014-2015 Donbas evidence and post-2022 Russian mine-use reporting.

Weapon profileMON-50
SideRussiaRoleArea DenialForce Protection
MON-50, Directional fragmentation antipersonnel mine, Infantry Weapons - 2014 Russia-Ukraine War
Image source: File:MON-50.jpg

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
MON-50 mines were reported in the Ukraine conflict in 2014-2015, including rebel-linked material in eastern Ukraine.

Sources: Landmines in Ukraine Technical Briefing Note

Russian-backed Spartak Battalion members were reported emplacing MON-50 mines with MUV fuzes and tripwires near Marinka in June 2015.

Sources: Landmine Monitor 2015

Russian forces have used MON-50 antipersonnel mines in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022.

Sources: Landmine Use in Ukraine, Ukraine Mine Ban Policy, Russian Federation Mine Ban Policy

Timeline

MON-50 In 2014 Russia-Ukraine War

  1. MON-50 shown with MUV-4 fuze in rebel-area footage

    Human Rights Watch cited a Russian media video from September 2014 that showed a MON-50 mine with an MUV-4 mechanical pull fuze attached during rebel explosive-remnants clearance.

    Sources: Landmines in Ukraine Technical Briefing Note

  2. MON-50 and fuzes reported seized in Kharkiv region

    Human Rights Watch recorded Ukrainian reporting that a purported rebel sabotage group's seized equipment included MON-50 mines, MUV fuzes, tripwire assemblies, and electrical initiation devices.

    Sources: Landmines in Ukraine Technical Briefing Note

  3. Spartak Battalion emplacement reported near Marinka

    Landmine Monitor 2015 reported Russia 1 footage showing Russian-backed Spartak Battalion members emplacing MON-50 mines with MUV fuzes and tripwires near Marinka in Donetsk province.

    Sources: Landmine Monitor 2015

  4. Full-scale invasion phase expands Russian mine-use record

    Human Rights Watch and Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor later listed MON-50 among antipersonnel mines used in Ukraine by Russian forces since the February 2022 full-scale invasion.

    Sources: Landmine Use in Ukraine, Ukraine Mine Ban Policy, Russian Federation Mine Ban Policy

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

Human Rights Watch's April 2015 technical briefing identified MON-50 mines among antipersonnel landmines reported in the Ukraine conflict since 2014. The briefing described MON-series directional fragmentation mines as hand-emplaced munitions that could be command-detonated or set up with tripwire-capable fuzing, and it recorded MON-50 material linked to eastern Ukraine.

Landmine Monitor 2015 provided the clearest Donbas use milestone: in June 2015, Russia 1 footage showed members of the Russian-backed Spartak Battalion emplacing MON-50 mines with MUV fuzes and tripwires near Marinka in Donetsk province.

Sources: Landmines in Ukraine Technical Briefing Note, Landmine Monitor 2015

Timeline

The public record begins with 2014 Donbas evidence, including a September 2014 Russian media video cited by Human Rights Watch that showed a MON-50 with an MUV-4 mechanical pull fuze during rebel explosive-remnants clearance. In November 2014, HRW also recorded Ukrainian reporting that security forces seized MON-50 and OZM-72 mines, MUV fuzes, tripwire assemblies, and electrical initiation devices from a purported rebel sabotage group in government-controlled Kharkiv region.

After Russia's February 24, 2022 full-scale invasion, Human Rights Watch and the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor both listed MON-50 among antipersonnel mines used in Ukraine by Russian forces.

Sources: Landmines in Ukraine Technical Briefing Note, Landmine Use in Ukraine, Ukraine Mine Ban Policy

Battlefield role

In this conflict, MON-50 evidence is tied to hand-emplaced directional mine warfare rather than remote scatter mining. The cited sources describe it as a fragmentation mine that can be command-detonated or configured with tripwire-capable mechanical fuzes, making the documented role area denial, position protection, ambush preparation, and hazard creation around contested or formerly occupied ground.

The sources distinguish possession, seizure, and use. HRW's 2015 briefing documented sightings, seizures, and rebel-held material in eastern Ukraine, while Landmine Monitor 2015 specifically reported emplacement by the Spartak Battalion near Marinka. Later Monitor and HRW reporting shifted the emphasis to Russian forces' broader use of MON-series antipersonnel mines after the full-scale invasion.

Sources: Landmines in Ukraine Technical Briefing Note, Landmine Monitor 2015, Russian Federation Mine Ban Policy

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Sources