The PTM-4M is a Russian modernized PTM-4-family scatterable anti-vehicle mine with magnetic-influence fuzing and selectable self-destruct, designed for remote minefield emplacement from dispenser canisters and mine-laying systems. Human Rights Watch documented a PTM-4M-marked delivery canister in Kharkiv Oblast in May 2022, and OSMP later cataloged PTM-4M reports from Ukraine in 2023.
Documented in Ukraine after Kharkiv-region police photographed a PTM-4M-marked delivery canister at Elitne on May 30, 2022; OSMP later cataloged PTM-4M reports from Ukraine in August and October 2023, adding open-source conflict-use sightings after the initial Kharkiv canister evidence.
Role detailsThe PTM-4M sits inside a remote-mining workflow rather than a normal hand-emplaced mine lane. The useful distinction is between the mine body, the canister that carries it, and the launcher or dispenser system that lays the minefield.
| Element | Reader note | Source support |
|---|---|---|
| Mine body | PTM-4-family descriptions identify a scatterable bottom-attack anti-vehicle mine with magnetic-influence sensing, shaped-charge effect, and selectable self-destruct settings. | Russian PTM-4 and PTM-4R Anti-Tank Bottom-Attack Mines; Army-2019: Smart Mines from Techmash |
| Canister evidence | Human Rights Watch documented a PTM-4M-marked delivery canister photographed at Elitne in Kharkiv Oblast on May 30, 2022, and Fenix METIS separately tracks KB PTM-4M canister context. | Background Briefing on Landmine Use in Ukraine; Munition, mine, KB PTM-4M |
| Remote laying | Rostec describes ISDM Zemledeliye as using launch pod containers with anti-tank or anti-personnel mines, mission programming, self-destruct parameters, and mapped mined zones. | Rostec Shows Combat Ability of the Newest TOS-2 and ISDM Systems |
| Later Ukraine sightings | OSMP catalogs PTM-4M reports from Ukraine in August and October 2023, which keeps the identification tied to the ongoing 2014 Russia-Ukraine War rather than only the initial 2022 canister photo. | PTM-4M Open Source Munitions Portal |
Sources describe PTM-4 as the base family designation, PTM-4M as the modernized mine identified from Ukraine canister evidence, and PTM-4R as a manually emplaced modification in the same anti-vehicle mine family.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| PTM-4 | Base scatterable family member | Family references describe PTM-4 as a remote-delivered magnetic-influence anti-vehicle mine with shaped-charge attack and selectable self-destruct settings. Sources: Russian PTM-4 and PTM-4R Anti-Tank Bottom-Attack Mines, Army-2019: Smart Mines from Techmash |
| PTM-4R | Manual-emplacement modification | Sappers identifies PTM-4R as a modification adapted for manual emplacement while retaining the PTM-4-family bottom-attack anti-vehicle role. Sources: Russian PTM-4 and PTM-4R Anti-Tank Bottom-Attack Mines |
Techmash publicly presented the PTM-4 family as a smart mine family with magnetic target sensing and selectable self-destruction.
Sources: Army-2019: Smart Mines from Techmash
Fenix Insight's PTM-4M entry notes documented PTM-4M-marked delivery canisters from 2021 production.
Sources: Munition, mine, PTM-4M
Human Rights Watch says Kharkiv-region police photographed a PTM-4M-marked delivery canister at Elitne on this date during the wider 2014 Russia-Ukraine War mine-use pattern.
Sources: Background Briefing on Landmine Use in Ukraine
The Open Source Munitions Portal lists a PTM-4M report from Ukraine with an August 11, 2023 reporting date, adding a later open-source sighting beyond the 2022 canister evidence.
Sources: PTM-4M Open Source Munitions Portal
OSMP lists another PTM-4M report from Ukraine with an October 7, 2023 reporting date, keeping the mine visible in open-source munitions documentation after its initial wartime identification.
Sources: PTM-4M Open Source Munitions Portal
