PFM-1 is a scatterable anti-personnel land mineofSoviet and Russian production.[1] It is also known as a Green Parrot or Butterfly Mine.[1] The mines can be deployed from mortars, helicopters and airplanes in large numbers; they glide to the ground without exploding and will explode later upon contact.
The mine consists of a polythene plastic container containing 40g of explosive liquid.[1] The two wings of the PFM-1 allow it to glide after being released in the air, then spin which stabilizes it and slows its descent.[2][1] The thick wing contains the liquid explosive.[2] The two wings together are 120 mm (about 5 inches) long.[3] The plastic body can be moulded in a variety of colours for best camouflage. As existing stocks were in European green, rather than sand coloured, the first examples used in 1980s Afghanistan were green and so easily visible. This led to their name of 'green parrots'.[2]
The shape and bright colour is attractive to children, inspiring claims that they were deliberately designed to look like a toy.[4][5] This was denied by the Soviets and, while the mines did endanger children, there is no evidence to suggest they were designed to look appealing.[6]
The mine can be deployed from mortars, helicopters and airplanes.[7][1] Because the mine is so light, it can be carried in waterways and moves downstream after heavy rains or with melting snow.[7]
The mine is stored with a pin restraining a detonating plunger. Once the arming pin is removed, the plunger is slowly forced forward by a spring until it contacts the detonator, at which point it is armed.[8]
Deformation of the soft plastic skin of the mine forces the arming plunger to strike the detonator, detonating the mine.[8] Because the body of the mine is a single cumulative pressure primer, it is extremely dangerous to handle the mine: The Imperial War Museum states that "A pressure in excess of 5kg would activate the mine".[1] Holding it between the thumb and forefinger may be enough to make it explode.[7] The charge is usually nonlethal, although sufficient to maim.[7]
PFM-1 was used during the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, allegedly resulting in a high number of casualties among children from being mistaken for a toy due to its shape and coloring.[9] As the mine is made of plastic, it is intended not to kill but to maim.[7]
In 2017, the government of Belarus announced that it had destroyed its stockpiles of PFM-1 mines.[10] The last 78 PFM-1 mines held by Belarus were destroyed as the highlight of the closing ceremony marking the elimination of their landmine stock.[10]The mines were allegedly used by Russian forces in Mariupol and Kharkiv, during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[11][12] Russian sources claim that in late July PFM-1 mines were scattered on the streets of Donetsk by Ukrainian troops.[13]
The PFM-1 is very similar to the BLU-43 landmine used by the US ArmyinOperation Igloo White in Laos during the Vietnam War.[14][3] According to a U.S. military document, the Soviet military created PFM-1 after reverse-engineering BLU-43.[15]
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