Solutions to win: Ukrainian soldiers use thermal imaging to hunt Russian mines

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are utilizing experimental thermal imaging technology to detect Russian mines, Rubryka reports, citing CNN.

What is the problem?

Ukrainian defenders are actively pursuing an offensive operation on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts. They are consolidating their positions at the achieved boundaries and countering Russian artillery attacks. Despite their efforts, mines present a significant challenge to the success of the Armed Forces' offensive.

"Today, Ukraine is the most heavily mined country in the world. Hundreds of kilometers of minefields, millions of explosive devices, in some areas of the front, there are up to five mines per square meter," said Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. "Russian minefields are a serious obstacle for our troops, but not insurmountable." 

What is the solution?

During dusk, a CNN reporter observed the Ukrainian military on the front lines as they installed a thermal imaging camera onto a commercial drone.

Soldiers from the National Guard's 15th Separate Regiment, stationed near the village of Robotyne, told CNN that this tactic effectively detects some mines.

How does it work?

The camera hovers over Russian minefields and detects dozens of heat signatures or traces. Some of them are craters, but many of them are mines, barely hidden beneath the surface.

Soldiers explained that the heat absorbed by the mines from the sun during the day remains even after sunset, making them stand out more distinctly on the thermal imaging camera.

CNN's video footage reveals the mines being destroyed using specialized Ukrainian charges designed to detonate and neutralize the threat to some extent.

CNN points out that this instance showcases Ukrainian ingenuity, which complements the armored vehicles and weapons supplied by NATO nations in recent months to support the counteroffensive efforts.

A representative of the British demining charity HALO Trust, Paul McCann, told the broadcaster that its demining experts had used this method in Angola, which also proved promising. He said the heat signatures of mines are more clearly visible at dawn and dusk when they contrast more with the outside temperature.

CNN reports that the Ukrainian military often uses drones with thermal imaging cameras, but the scale of the task is huge. According to official Ukrainian estimates, the Russians mined more than 180,000 square kilometers of territory, and there are often up to five mines per square meter.

A drone team on the front line near the village of Robotyne told CNN how heavily mined the area around them is.

"When we entered one forest line, we found up to 53 mine traps. They are not made from one grenade. We call it a 'bouquet,' grenades on top of other grenades," said Oleksandr from the 15th National Guard Regiment.

What we know about assistance to Ukraine in demining territories

The Armed Forces of Canada released a video of their servicemen training Ukrainian sappers in Poland. Canada also handed over 20 pyrotechnic suits to Ukrainian rescuers.

In turn, Lithuania decided to create a coalition for demining Ukraine and invited other nations to join and assist the state that suffered from Russian aggression.

Also, as part of the aid package to the war-torn country, South Korea will provide Ukraine with mine detectors and demining equipment. 

As part of the aid package, Denmark handed over six drones for demining the regions of Ukraine.

A private company is also building the first demining vessel at its own expense for the State Emergency Service in Mykolaiv. In total, they want to produce 15 such vessels.

As Rubryka reported, Azerbaijan offered Ukraine to hold training sessions for Ukrainian sappers.