Donetsk, Aug 26 — DAN. The DPR Prosecutor General’s Office is investigation incidents of injuries caused by the butterfly mines scattered by the Ukrainian armed forces.
“More than 50 civilians suffered PMF-1 mines explosions. We still receive reports on casualties. A criminal case has been launched based on the facts of employing means and methods of warfare prohibited by an international treaty, under Article 427 P 2 of the DPR Criminal Code,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
The Article 427 P 2, Use of weapons of mass destruction, banned by an international treaty, provides for a punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 10 to 20 years.
The Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices as amended on 3 May 1996 (Amended Protocol II) to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons bans the use of remotely-delivered mines unless, to the extent feasible, they are equipped with an effective self-destruction or self-neutralization mechanism, which PMF-1 mines do not have.
PFM-1 is a scatterable anti-personnel land mine of Soviet and Russian production. It is also known as a Green Parrot or Butterfly Mine. As a mine made of plastic, it is primarily aimed at the civilian population, it is intended not to kill but to maim.
Some modifications are equipped with a self-destruction mechanism initiated after 1-40 hours from the moment of planting. The timing depends on the air temperature.
If an adult triggers such a mine, he will most probably be maimed. Children and animals are unlike to survive the encounter with a PFM-1. *ot