Russian forces are deploying PFM-1 anti-personnel mines in Donbas, but the butterfly mines are deeply controversial because they cause many casualties among children who mistake them for toys, the UK Ministry of Defense said in an assessment on Monday morning.

What the British military says:

• It is very likely that Russia will deploy anti-personnel mines to protect the occupied territory and prevent freedom of movement along its defensive lines in Donbas.
• These mines can cause mass casualties among both the military and the local civilian population.
• Russia probably tried to use PFM-1 and PFM-1C cluster antipersonnel mines in Donetsk and Kramatorsk. The PFM-1 series, commonly referred to as the “butterfly mine”, is an extremely controversial and indiscriminate weapon.
• PFM-1s were used to devastating effect during the Soviet-Afghan War, where they allegedly maimed large numbers of children who mistook them for toys.
• It is likely that the Soviet-era reserves used by Russia have degraded over time, and the mines are now extremely unreliable and unpredictable. This poses a threat to both the local population and humanitarian demining operations.

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