- Ukraine is firing mine-laying shells designed to destroy tanks.
- The US sent over 10,000 of these rounds to Ukraine, along with the 155mm howitzers that fired them.
- These minelayers are designed to force desperate choices.
Russian forces guarding the front lines against the Ukrainian advance are discovering dangers lurking behind them that threaten to further destabilize their position.
The danger is posed by cannonballs being fired from above them.
“The enemy is mining a remote supply route for ammunition and stockpiles behind us.” I have written Prominent pro-Russian millblogger Alexander Sladkov said in a Telegram post on Thursday.
Sladkov wrote that Ukraine is firing the Remote Anti-Armor Mine System (RAAMS), a US-made artillery shell that lays anti-tank mines in flight. The US sent over 10,000 of these rounds to Ukraine along with 155mm howitzers that fire at a range of almost 11 miles.
Minelayers are designed to force desperate choices. Vehicles must travel through mine-laid gauntlets to deliver fresh troops, ammunition, fuel, and food to frontline positions. It can also be used to set traps on the escape routes of troops on the front lines.
Mines self-destruct at certain times depending on their type. Some within 24 hours, some over a day.Sladkov suggested that these ammunition, first observed in Ukraine’s use in December, could be countered or destroyed.
“These mines self-destruct after four hours, whereas the M73 mines self-destruct after 48 hours,” he wrote. “Engineering reconnaissance (sappers who check routes) deal with them easily.” This pro-Russian voice argues because the community tends to overestimate Russia’s capabilities while downplaying the threat. Whether it is that easy is debatable.
The danger for Russia is growing. A Ukrainian counteroffensive appears to be underway, with Kiev forces attacking Russian positions with Western-made tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery and other weapon systems, along roads that could be mined. may be forced to withdraw.