PFM-1 mine
PFM-1 is a scatterable anti-personnel land mine of Soviet and Russian production.[1] It is also known as a Green Parrot or Butterfly Mine.[1] The mines can be deployed from mortars, helicopters and airplanes in large numbers; they glide to the ground without exploding and will explode later upon contact.
Design
The mine consists of a polythene plastic container containing 40g of explosive liquid.[1] The two wings of the PFM-1 allow it to glide after being released in the air, then spin which stabilizes it and slows its descent.[2][1] The thick wing contains the liquid explosive.[2] The two wings together are 120 mm (about 5 inches) long.[3] The plastic body can be moulded in a variety of colours for best camouflage. As existing stocks were in European green, rather than sand coloured, the first examples used in 1980s Afghanistan were green and so easily visible. This led to their name of 'green parrots'.[2]
The shape and bright colour is attractive to children, inspiring claims that they were deliberately designed to look like a toy.[4][5] This was denied by the Soviets and, while the mines did endanger children, there is no evidence to suggest they were designed to look appealing.[6]
The mine can be deployed from mortars, helicopters and airplanes.[7][1] Because the mine is so light, it can be carried in waterways and moves downstream after heavy rains or with melting snow.[7]
Action
The mine is stored with a pin restraining a detonating plunger. Once the arming pin is removed, the plunger is slowly forced forward by a spring until it contacts the detonator, at which point it is armed.[8]
Deformation of the soft plastic skin of the mine forces the arming plunger to strike the detonator, detonating the mine.[8] Because the body of the mine is a single cumulative pressure primer, it is extremely dangerous to handle the mine: The Imperial War Museum states that "A pressure in excess of 5kg would activate the mine".[1] Holding it between the thumb and forefinger may be enough to make it explode.[7] The charge is usually nonlethal, although sufficient to maim.[7]
Military use
PFM-1 was used during the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, allegedly resulting in a high number of casualties among children from being mistaken for a toy due to its shape and coloring.[9] As the mine is made of plastic, it is intended not to kill but to maim.[7]
In 2017, the government of Belarus announced that it had destroyed its stockpiles of PFM-1 mines.[10] The last 78 PFM-1 mines held by Belarus were destroyed as the highlight of the closing ceremony marking the elimination of their landmine stock.[10]
In 2022, Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of using the mines during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to Ukrainian sources, the mines were allegedly used by Russian forces in Mariupol and Kharkiv, [11][12] Russian sources alledge that in late July PFM-1 mines were scattered on the streets of Donetsk by Ukrainian troops[13] [14][15], despite only Russia possessing these mines[citation needed].
Similar weapons
The PFM-1 is very similar to the BLU-43 landmine used by the US Army in Operation Igloo White in Laos during the Vietnam War.[16][3] According to a U.S. military document, the Soviet military created PFM-1 after reverse-engineering BLU-43.[17]
Specifications
- Weight: 75 g (2.6 oz)
- Filling: 37 g (1.3 oz) of VS6-D or VS-60D liquid explosive[8]
- Fuse: MVDM/VGM-572
- Length: 120 mm (4.7 in)
- Width: 20 mm (0.79 in)
- Height: 61 mm (2.4 in)
- Operating pressure: 5 to 25 kg (11 to 55 lb)
- Shelf life: 10 years[8]
See also
- Ottawa Treaty
- Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation
- Atrocity propaganda § Soviet–Afghan War
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f "PFM 1 anti-personnel mine ("Green Parrot") (British drill/training example)". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 2022-02-27.
- ^ a b c McGrath, Rae (1998). Landmines: Legacy of Conflict: A Manual for Development Workers. pp. 39–40. ISBN 0-7881-3280-6.
- ^ a b Hambling, David (2022-03-10). "Russia Accused Of Using Air-Dropped Butterfly Mines To Block Ukrainian Evacuation Route". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- ^ Braithwaite, Rodric (2011). Afgantsy : the Russians in Afghanistan, 1979-89. Oxford University Press. pp. 234–235. ISBN 9780199832668.
- ^ "Soviet Toys of Death". The New York Times. 10 December 1985. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- ^ Rae McGrath (Jun 11, 2013). "Soviet Land Mines Endangered Children but Did Not Specifically Target Them". In Nelson, David Erik (ed.). Afghanistan. Greenhaven Publishing LLC. p. 91. ISBN 0737762519.
- ^ a b c d e Cauderay, Gérald C. (1993). "Anti-Personnel Mines" (PDF). International Review of the Red Cross. 33 (295): 273–287. Retrieved 2022-02-27.
- ^ a b c d "PFM Design" (PDF). apminebanconvention.org.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Tanner, Stephen. "Afghanistan: A Military History".
- ^ a b "The Republic of Belarus has fully fulfilled its international obligations under the 2003 Ottawa Convention". 2017-04-05. Archived from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
- ^ "In Kharkiv region, the Russian invaders are using internationally-banned butterfly mines".
- ^ Hambling, David. "Russia Accused Of Using Air-Dropped Butterfly Mines To Block Ukrainian Evacuation Route (Update: New Video Confirmation)". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ "Ukrainian troops fire rockets with Lepestok mines at Donetsk — territorial defense".
- ^ "ВСУ забросали центр Донецка противопехотными минами "Лепесток"".
- ^ "ВСУ забросали Донецк противопехотными минами ПФМ-1 "Лепесток"".
- ^ Hsu, Jeremy (2018-12-28). "Drones Used to Find Toylike "Butterfly" Land Mines". Scientific American.
- ^ "INSTANT OBSTACLES: RUSSIAN REMOTELY DELIVERED MINES" (PDF). January 1996.