Russian forces have not only escalated their attacks in Ukraine with ballistic missiles and cluster bombs, but they have also left behind a deadly legacy in the form of landmines. Ukraine is now considered the largest minefield in the world, with mines scattered across fields, forests, and communities. The majority of these landmines were laid by Russian forces, although Ukraine has also laid them in some areas. Landmines have been detected in 11 regions across Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of over 400 civilians and hundreds of injuries since February 2022 [b4c98569].
The presence of landmines has had a devastating impact on the people of Ukraine. Landmines, including the common 'butterfly' or 'petal' mine, can remain on the landscape for decades, posing a prolonged danger to civilians and hindering agricultural activities. The cost to demine and clear the land is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. The Soviet-era Nova Kakhovka dam collapse in June 2023 further displaced landmines, impacting 17 known minefields. The HALO Trust, a humanitarian organization, has cleared over 19,000 landmines and estimates that it will take decades and $37 billion to fully demine Ukraine. The World Bank and several countries have contributed funding for demining efforts [b4c98569].
The use of landmines in the conflict has been a violation of international humanitarian law. Human rights organizations have called for an investigation into the use of landmines as a war crime. The presence of landmines not only poses a threat to civilians but also hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid and the safe movement of people within the country. The international community has recognized the severity of the issue and has contributed funding to support demining efforts in Ukraine [b4c98569].
Lithuania, a country that has actively participated in the Convention on Cluster Munitions, is now considering a proposal to withdraw from the treaty banning cluster munitions. If approved, Lithuania would be the first country to leave the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The defense minister of Lithuania has advocated for the country to withdraw from the convention, citing changes in national security since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Human Rights Watch urges Lithuania to reject the proposal, stating that withdrawing from the convention would stain Lithuania's reputation and increase the risk of civilian harm. Cluster munitions can cause indiscriminate injury and death, and the majority of victims are civilians, including children. The Convention on Cluster Munitions requires the destruction of stockpiles, clearance of remnants, and assistance to victims. Lithuania has actively participated in the convention and has never produced, stockpiled, transferred, or used cluster munitions. The convention has saved countless lives since its entry into force in 2008, with member countries destroying 1.489 million cluster munitions and 179 million submunitions. Many NATO and EU member states support the ban on cluster munitions. Human Rights Watch, a co-founder of the Cluster Munition Coalition, urges countries to discourage Lithuania from withdrawing from the convention and to prevent the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions [be61b4e8].