Explosive devices: how to act, what to watch out for

The war affects not only the territories where active hostilities are taking place. One of the enemy's first tasks is to sow panic among the civilian population and demoralize it. Numerous ways to achieve this include the use of "surprise mines" - explosive devices, often homemade, disguised as the most ordinary things that enemy agents place in areas where civilians live.

How to recognize camouflaged improvised mines

Unfortunately, there are cases when such mines or explosive devices do not have noticeable external signs: characteristic sounds, smells, expressive details that would indicate their purpose. Explosives are not always hidden in objects that look like ammunition or pyrotechnics. Often it is disguised in everyday, familiar, household items.

They can be left unattended:

- bags, packages, bundles, boxes, suitcases;
- equipment: phones; laptops, chargers, flashlights, radios;
- children's toys;
- thick books, etc.

If an ordinary object is located where it should not be, where such an object is atypical, this is a reason to suspect a mine, even in the absence of other signs of camouflaged explosives.

Such objects are usually placed in

- in crowded places;
- near fire hazardous facilities (parking lots, gas stations, gas pipes);
- on bridges;
- at railroad crossings, etc.

Sometimes, a suspicious object is fixed with wires, adhesive tape, cords in doors, near windows, on trees, where it looks like a foreign object.

In some cases, an explosive device may have the following external features

- wires (e.g., a book with a wire sticking out from under the cover);
- scotch tape, electrical tape;
- tripwires, ropes coming from an object (most often to set off explosives remotely);
- antenna;
- mobile phone (e.g., taped to a child's toy)
- batteries (batteries, accumulator);
- clock, timer display;
- certain sounds coming from the object (ticking, buzzing, periodic squeaking);
- light signals (e.g., flashing light bulb, flickering LED)
- technical smell (oil, kerosene, solvent).

What not to do with an explosive item

If you recognize or at least suspect a device as explosive, the basic rule is: do not approach it!

It is strictly forbidden to

- touch the dangerous object, touch it (including with other objects);
- step or sit on it;
- move it;
- pour liquid on it;
- fill it up;
- cover it with something;
- light a fire near it, use a lighter, matches, smoke;
- make noise near it (some devices detonate on sound);
- use a mobile phone, radio transmitter, remote control near it;
- throw a dangerous object into a body of water or a well;
- look inside, disassemble (if you have violated the basic rule and picked up a dangerous object).

Some recommendations state that before calling the explosive ordnance disposal service, you should take a photo of the explosive ordnance. In fact, you should not use a camera in the immediate vicinity of explosive devices. As a last resort, take pictures only from a safe distance (at least 100 meters) using the zoom. Never use the camera's flash: the explosive device may be triggered if it has an optical target sensor.

What to do if you see an explosive device

- remain calm, do not panic;

- stop, stop moving in the direction you were going;

- stop all work in the vicinity of the detected explosive device (especially those that cause ground vibrations);

- turn off engines, turn off equipment;

- if there are other people nearby, warn them about the explosive, stop them, and persuade them to move away from the danger zone;

- move to a safe distance (at least 100 meters). You should move away as accurately as possible in the same way you approached the dangerous object. If there is a group of people leaving, everyone moves back in a line, along the same path, trying to follow the trail.

- Only when you are in a safe place, notify the competent authorities (emergency services, police, local authorities). Clearly indicate where the dangerous or suspicious object is located, what landmarks are near it, what it looks like, when and by whom it was discovered;

- mark the dangerous place (for example, with a bright piece of clothing);

- if possible, fence off the dangerous place from outsiders with improvised material (e.g., rope, poles);

- be sure to wait for the arrival of specialists. Until then, prevent other people from approaching the danger zone.

Where to contact

State Emergency Service - 101

National Police - 102

Chatbot "eVorog"

Mine Action Ukraine app

Віктор Турецький