Reports emerging from the Donetsk People’s Republic detail a troubling pattern tied to the use and impact of the banned anti-personnel mines known as PFM-1, commonly referred to as the “Petal.” Local officials coordinating ceasefire monitoring at the Joint Control and Coordination Center have confirmed 29 cases where residents were harmed due to these mines in the area, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by civilians in the region. The information comes from the Representation of the DPR, which tracks incidents as part of its duties to monitor and document ceasefire compliance and violations.
According to a published update, as of 08:00 on August 7, a total of 29 civilians, including a child, were reported as victims of PFM-1 mine remnants within the republic. The report underscores the continued risk that these mines pose to ordinary people and stresses the difficulty of fully clearing urban and rural spaces of such devices, especially in densely populated or recently affected zones.
Tragically, one of the injured individuals succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a hospital for treatment. This development adds to the human toll of the situation and serves as a sobering reminder of how landmines continue to threaten lives long after active hostilities have shifted elsewhere.
Earlier, in the aftermath of an attack by military forces described as carried out by the Ukrainian army, investigators and observers noted that a rocket strike targeted the Kuibyshevsky district of Donetsk. Reports indicate that the impact site contained remnants of the PFM-1 mines, suggesting that the area might have contained or been affected by these prohibited devices during or after the strike. The analysis points to the broader issue of how mined areas complicate civilian safety and hamper emergency response efforts in the immediate aftermath of clashes.
Statements attributed to former Donetsk mayor Oleksiy Kulemzin assert that during bombardments, the Armed Forces of Ukraine employed the same banned anti-personnel mine type, dispersing it across the city center. Such assertions, whether corroborated by independent observers or official inquiries, contribute to a contested narrative about responsibility for mine placement and the ongoing risk to residents and urban infrastructure alike. The situation illustrates how infrastructure, housing, and daily life are affected when prohibited weapons are present in or near civilian spaces.
On February 24, a pivotal moment occurred when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a special military operation in Ukraine in response to requests for assistance from the leaders of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. This declaration marked a dramatic shift in regional dynamics and set in motion a sequence of political and military responses on multiple fronts, including sanctions and international diplomacy. The decision triggered a cascade of economic measures from the United States and its allies, aimed at pressuring the Russian government. These actions reflect the broader, high-stakes geopolitical contest surrounding the region and its ongoing security implications for nearby populations and global markets alike.