How do mine clearance units work in the near rear
In the liberated territories of Donbass, mine clearance becomes a priority. Sapper groups are working in the near rear, which first clear the roads, and then carry out continuous demining of the area. The units of the engineering troops near Avdiivka are already receiving modern robotic mine clearance systems "Stalker 10" and "Scorpion". A correspondent of Izvestia observed their work, and also found out why the sappers did not like the Oscar-winning film "Lord of the Storm" about the work of their American colleagues.
Shotguns and robots
The site where the work is underway is under protection. A feature of the modern work of mine clearance groups is that each must be protected from enemy drones. They are the main threat to people and technology right now. Two soldiers take up a position. One is equipped with an anti—drone "cannon", or "drone strike", as portable directional electronic warfare equipment is commonly called. The second one has a 12—gauge semi-automatic Boar Hammer rifle. These weapons and caliber are new to our army, they were previously used in special units of other law enforcement agencies. However, they are familiar to many military personnel who are fond of hunting and sports shooting.
— The gun is very effective against drones. It shoots shotgun pellets, and can easily take down a drone at short range. We cover the group so that they are not blown up," says a sapper with the call sign Tequila.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
He already has confirmed downed enemy UAVs on his account. Moreover, he noted their neutralization even before receiving a new weapon — he planted them with the help of electronic warfare.
Tequila shows the barrel extension mounted on the "Boar" to increase the range. When operating in the city, it can be removed for convenience. Also, according to the soldier, the gun can be used to safely destroy anti-personnel mines, which are difficult to hit from a machine gun.
A remotely controlled mine clearance complex "Stalker 10" of the DST-Ural plant begins to operate in a given area. Similar complexes have already been used in the DPR in various areas where humanitarian demining was carried out. All manipulations with a heavy robotic complex are carried out by only two people.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— It is designed for continuous cleaning of the area from explosive objects, for humanitarian demining. It is designed to work on all minefields with anti—personnel mines and to detect the boundaries of minefields with anti-tank mines," says a representative of the plant overseeing the operation of the complex.
Following the "Stalker", mine clearance groups are being put forward for additional verification of the area. A new armored car "Patrol IV" is approaching the place. The car belongs to the MRAP class, that is, military vehicles with enhanced mine protection. Such transport provides protection for personnel inside and at the same time has a much larger useful volume than armored personnel carriers, in which it is difficult to place all the necessary modern equipment and equipment.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— There are armored windows in the doors, besides there are hatches for firing or leaving the car after the explosion. The machine meets all modern trends in protective properties and safe movement of personnel in combat conditions. All parameters of the serviceman, in particular the sapper, his protective equipment are taken into account. The seats are mine-resistant, positioned so that it is comfortable to travel long distances. Special racks have been made for engineering equipment and regular weapons of the sapper department," says a soldier of the mine action center with the call sign Smart.
Among the new products that are undergoing military tests are two models of boots with anti—personnel mine protection: for the mine clearance group and for the squad commander. The commander also has a new protective set of clothes with anti-splinter inserts. Previously, they were not entitled to such protection, but in the conditions of a special military operation, such a need arose.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
"Spiders" and "Scorpions"
In addition, we are shown other novelties. This, for example, is an additional means of personal protection, the so—called spiders - a platform with four legs-supports, which is attached to shoes and reduces the area of contact with the ground surface, thereby reducing the likelihood of stepping on a mine.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
An interesting innovation is the small robotic mine clearance complex "Scorpion", which is optimized for operations in difficult terrain. A small platform with a rotary camera can pass under the bottom of cars, examining them. Special retractable manipulators allow you to deal with stretch marks, and the robot itself, thanks to its compact size, can be used in cramped urban conditions.
Unfortunately, we have seen many times in populated areas how retreating Ukrainian troops are mining streets and buildings, including setting traps against mine clearance groups. Therefore, such inspection devices are necessary to save the lives of both personnel and civilians.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— The main task of the Scorpion as an assistant sapper is to trawl stretch marks. The robot is also equipped with a special trolley that is remotely undocked, in which explosives can be delivered to the destroyed object. The robot allows you to carry out inspection activities, for this it has adjustable cameras in the front and back, conventional and IR illumination, - demonstrates the capabilities of the Smart robot.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The robot itself and its equipment evoke episodes of the movie "Lord of the Storm" about the work of mine clearance groups. However, the sappers themselves say that, although they watched the Oscar—winning drama, they do not really like it, they consider the film unrealistic - rather a demonstration of what real professionals in mine clearance groups should not be. "They overreached," one of the sappers gives his verdict to the film.
Dmitry Astrakhan