A tragic incident occurred in the Sumy region where a 66-year-old local resident was killed by a Russian mine explosion. This was reported by the head of the regional military administration, Oleg Grygorov, who noted that the incident took place in the Khotyn community on the morning of March 12. Unfortunately, the man sustained injuries that were incompatible with life.
This is reported by Finway
“This morning in the Khotyn community, a 66-year-old man was blown up by an enemy mine. Unfortunately, he died.”
As Grygorov clarified, residents of the border areas of Sumy are constantly in a zone of increased danger due to mining and shelling. The wife of the deceased was promptly evacuated to a safe location.
Increase in the Number of Victims of Mines and Explosive Objects
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia, the situation regarding mine danger in Ukraine remains critical. According to the Main Department of Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety, as of December 1, 2025, 1,374 people have been affected by mine and explosive object detonations, including 140 children.
At the beginning of April 2025, the State Emergency Service reported that since February 2022, 336 people have died due to such incidents, including 18 children, while another 825 individuals, including 92 children, sustained injuries.
Scale of Mine Danger in Ukraine
According to rescuers’ estimates, about 139,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, which is approximately 23% of the country’s total area, remain potentially dangerous due to mining and unexploded ordnance. The government and relevant services urge citizens to adhere to heightened safety measures, especially in border and recently liberated areas.