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Putin’s troops ‘drop booby-trapped wet wipe packs and power banks’ onto the streets of Ukraine in new ‘crime against civilians’
Ukrainian officials have accused Russian forces of dropping booby-trapped everyday items, including wet wipe packets and portable power banks, onto streets in Ukraine, in what they describe as a deliberate attack on civilians rather than military targets. The tactic, if confirmed, marks an escalation in Russia's alleged use of disguised explosives designed to maim or kill ordinary people going about daily life, rather than combatants, drawing condemnation as a war crime.
Reports suggest the devices are fashioned to resemble innocuous household or personal items so that unsuspecting civilians pick them up, triggering an explosion. Ukrainian authorities and commentators have framed the incidents as part of a broader pattern of attacks targeting the civilian population, adding to mounting allegations of Russian conduct in violation of the laws of war since the invasion began.
In short
- Russia accused of disguising bombs as wet wipes and power banks
- Devices allegedly dropped in Ukrainian streets to target civilians
- Ukraine calls the tactic a war crime against ordinary people
Explained simply
Russian forces are accused of dropping booby-trapped everyday items, such as wet wipe packets and portable power banks, onto streets in occupied or contested areas of Ukraine. These devices are reportedly designed to look like harmless products that civilians might pick up, but contain explosives that detonate when handled.
Ukrainian officials and international observers have described this tactic as deliberately targeting civilians rather than military targets. Russia has been engaged in a military invasion of Ukraine since 2022, and Ukraine has previously made allegations of attacks intended to harm the civilian population.
Under international humanitarian law, deliberately attacking civilians is considered a war crime. The alleged use of disguised explosives is particularly concerning because it specifically targets people who are not combatants going about ordinary daily life. These accusations form part of a broader set of allegations about conduct during the conflict.