Humanitarian groups are raising alarms over a disturbing new tactic in the war in Ukraine: Russian forces are dropping small, toy-like landmines from drones that resemble gingerbread men, luring children to their deaths. The devices, known as 'Pryanik' (Russian for 'gingerbread'), are designed to look harmless but can cause severe injury or death when triggered.
Kherson Becomes a Deadly Minefield
The city of Kherson, near the Black Sea and close to the front line, has effectively become a minefield, according to Yuriy Boyechko, founder of Hope For Ukraine. Russian forces are using cheap first-person-view (FPV) drones to scatter these disguised explosives across residential areas. 'If an adult steps on it, or a child finds it while playing in the grass … it will blow them up, or wound them badly,' Boyechko said. 'The deliberate weaponisation of backyards and doorsteps is a calculated attempt to make life uninhabitable.'
Civilians now face two overlapping dangers: direct drone strikes from above and invisible explosives below their feet. Unlike traditional landmines buried in fixed positions, these devices are actively dispersed by drones, making entire residential zones unpredictable danger areas.
Impact on Daily Life
Residents spend much of their time in basements, venturing outside only when necessary. Even walking to the pharmacy has become a 'gamble with mutilation,' Boyechko warned. The mines are small enough to fit in a palm and can resemble toys or debris, increasing risks to children. Activation pressure is extremely low, meaning even a small child stepping on one can trigger an explosion.
Volodymyr Prepepelytsia from the National Police in Kherson noted upgraded versions are more sophisticated and powerful, making detection and clearance harder. As of April 1, 1,431 people (including 147 children) have been injured by mines since the full-scale invasion began.
Humanitarian Operations Disrupted
Hope For Ukraine is the only NGO still operating regularly in parts of Kherson, but even their work is increasingly difficult. Aid deliveries are scheduled during bad weather for safety. 'Every time they open the door, they listen for the high-pitched buzzing sound in the air,' Boyechko said. The psychological toll is growing as civilians live under constant uncertainty.
The tactic represents a disturbing shift in modern warfare, turning everyday survival into a deadly gamble. Robot dogs have been used to locate the mines, but the scale of contamination overwhelms demining teams.
