Children lured to their deaths: Russia accused of using toy-like mines to turn Ukrainian streets into deadly traps
Russian forces are accused of turning entire neighbourhoods in Kherson into hidden minefields, scattering anti-personnel explosives across civilian streets using drones in what aid groups warn is a deliberate campaign to target and terrorise the population.
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Aid workers on the ground say residential areas have been seeded with so-called “Butterfly” (Pelyustka) and “Gingerbread” (Pryanyk) mines, scattered using drone technology. Unlike conventional anti-armour devices, these mines are designed to injure people rather than destroy vehicles.
There are also reports that some explosives have been deliberately disguised to resemble small bells or other harmless items, raising concerns they could attract children or unsuspecting civilians.
Humanitarian organisations say the use of such devices has turned daily life in Kherson into a constant risk, with residents facing danger simply by walking outside, collecting supplies or allowing children to play near their homes.
Speaking exclusively to LBC, Yuriy Boyechko, founder of Hope For Ukraine, described the situation as “increasingly perilous” and accused Russian forces of deliberately targeting civilian life.
“The situation on the ground has become increasingly dangerous due to a campaign of remote mining,” he said.
“These devices are not designed for tanks, they are engineered specifically to maim people.”
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He added that the alleged use of disguised explosives represents a particularly troubling escalation.
“Perhaps most disturbing is the use of explosives disguised as small bells, a cynical tactic used to lure in curious children and unsuspecting residents. Kherson has become one large war crimes scene.”
Boyechko said the widespread deployment of nearly invisible mines across urban areas has effectively turned the environment itself into a weapon.
“This is not collateral damage. It is a deliberate strategy to paralyse a city by making every single step a risk,” he said.
A British military bomb disposal operator told LBC that Russian forces are using 3D-printed mines coloured to match seasonal foliage, making them significantly harder to detect.
“They’re designing these mines to disappear into everyday life,” the operator said. “If it looks like a leaf, a stone, or even something harmless a child might pick up, it’s already done its job. Detection becomes guesswork, and that’s where people get hurt.”
Kherson, which was liberated by Ukrainian forces in late 2022, remains under constant threat from across the Dnipro River, where Russian forces are positioned. In addition to shelling, aid groups report an increase in the use of commercial drones to target civilians and infrastructure.
Local accounts describe frequent strikes on residential districts, transport stops and humanitarian distribution points. Aid workers say even delivering basic supplies has become increasingly dangerous, with drones reportedly monitoring and targeting movement in real time.
Humanitarian organisations and volunteers continue to operate in the city despite the risks, warning that civilians are being placed in an environment where access to food, medical care and movement is severely restricted by ongoing attacks and unexploded ordnance.
Under international humanitarian law, the use of anti-personnel mines and devices designed to target civilians, particularly those disguised as harmless objects, may constitute war crimes.
Calls have been made for international investigations into the reported tactics, as well as increased support for demining efforts and protections for civilians and aid workers operating in the region.