Ria Nowosti claims that the log was discovered in July in the Russian Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian troops inactive keep any positions. It was most likely hidden among stacks of akin logs, which are a common part of the forest areas where most of the fighting in the region takes place.
As the agency suggests, specified an ingenious camouflage method most likely raised concerns for Russian soldiers about what might be waiting for them erstwhile they decision through forest areas.
"Here is ammunition, and there is simply a wooden frame on top. It turns out that this is to the maximum masked and invisible even for professionals," said RIA agency Novosti Bogdan Mironov, deputy commander of the Russian bomb squad who presented the mine.
Screen/Kyiv Post / Kyiv PostCollage of screenshots from the RIA presentation of anti-tank mines camouflaged by Ukrainians
The PTM-3 anti-tank mine was originally designed to be scattered against attacking armored vehicles from helicopters, utilizing multiple rocket launchers (MLRS), specified as BM-30 Smerch and BM-27 Uragan, a distant controlled UMZ miner, and a portable PKM miner kit. It can besides be arranged manually.
The PTM-3 contains about 4.5 kg of high-explosion explosive, arranged into a linear explosive capable of penetrating a 10 cm thick armor. It is activated by a magnetic detonator which activates erstwhile the vehicle approaches sufficiently to enable it.
Commentators suggested that the usage of this landmine was another example of Ukraine's creative, unspeakable approach to the asymmetric war. The usage of natural materials, specified as tree bark, not only impedes the visual recognition of PTM-3, but besides constitutes an additional barrier to detecting it with conventional mine detectors, which is inactive hard due to limited metallic content or thermal imaging.
The presence or very suspicion of utilizing specified camouflaged ammunition – if it does not slow down Russian soldiers – may force them to change their tactics erstwhile moving, recognizing or demining areas where Kiev troops operated, especially if they do not have access to mine detection tools or are limited.
