Ukrainian intelligence reports that the Russian military has begun equipping the "Geranium"-2 UAV with KPTM-3 dispensers, which contain PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mines for remote offensive mine-laying.
During operations, the "Geranium"-2 UAV flies over the target area, and the KPTM-3 dispenser drops the PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mines from the air to the ground. Once the mines land, they quickly form a minefield on roads, both sides of roads, buildings, etc. The magnetic fuses on the mines then enter standby mode. If a vehicle or personnel carrying weapons pass by, the mines will detonate. The PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mine weighs about 5 kg, and the magnetic fuse reacts to tanks and armored vehicles at a distance of about 0.5 to 1.0 meters. It also reacts to people carrying metal items weighing more than 50 to 100 grams (including firearms) when approaching the mine. The PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mine is a cube in shape and is painted with a camouflage color, making it difficult to identify accurately from a distance, so it has strong concealment after being deployed.
Reports from Ukrainian media about the Russian "Geranium"-2 UAV dropping PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mines began in August. At that time, a Russian "Geranium"-2 UAV dropped two PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mines on the battlefield. After that, reports about the Russian use of the "Geranium"-2 UAV to drop PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mines increased.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Russian "Geranium"-2 UAV mainly lays mines on Ukrainian military transportation routes. The PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mines dropped on both sides of the road are increasingly threatening Ukrainian battlefield mobility and supply because there have been cases where Ukrainian vehicles were destroyed by PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mines dropped by the "Geranium"-2 UAV. Due to the range of the "Geranium"-2 UAV being over 1000 kilometers, it can conduct offensive mine-laying throughout Ukraine. The Ukrainians are worried because the number of Russian "Geranium"-2 UAVs is increasing, and if a significant portion of them are used to deploy PTM-3 magnetic anti-tank mines in the depths of Ukraine, it would pose an increasing obstacle to Ukrainian military operations.
The expansion of the use of the "Geranium"-2 UAV by the Russians has exceeded its function as a loitering munition, which means the use of drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has reached a new level.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844425603013632/
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