However Ukraine also says Russian troops left booby traps to cover their retreat. In some places unspent missiles and mortar shells have been seen arrowed into the earth, relics of failed strikes. In recent weeks AFP has seen countless unexploded munitions lying in the streets of towns and villages north-east and north-west of the capital, abandoned or mislaid in the hasty withdrawal. Russia called off its northern offensive to take Kyiv at the end of March, and since then Ukrainian citizens and soldiers have returned to the land they occupied. Now there is one less mine in this sprawling field. A ball of violent light, a shockwave like a shove in the chest, then an ugly thud of sound follows in the aftermath. Army engineers light a two-minute fuse then retreat to a safe distance with distinct nonchalance as a wisp of grey smoke grows thicker and thicker. One anti-personnel mine in the field is primed for detonation. But a team of men are wandering around with sure-footed ease, clearing this minefield outside the Kyiv suburb of Brovary from explosives planted by retreating Russian forces.
But there could be many more secreted in the uneven earth under the trampled scrub.Įach step is a gamble. Five are visible: drab olive discs topped with ominous brown pressure plates.
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