08:39 10-09-2025

Russian Forces Upgrade Ukrainian Penal and Pryanik Mines

Russian servicemen of the Leningrad Guards Regiment upgraded Ukrainian Penal and Pryanik mines, improving warheads, durability and detonation reliability.

Servicemen of the Leningrad Guards Regiment, part of the Russian Armed Forces' «Zapad» grouping, have upgraded Ukrainian-designed munitions known as Penal and Pryanik.

The Penal mine, originally developed for deployment from FPV drones, had already demonstrated effectiveness in Ukrainian use. After capturing one of these devices, Russian specialists created a replica and improved its warhead, with a focus on increasing structural strength and reliability. The objective was not to copy the Ukrainian technology but to refine it and address its shortcomings.

Another munition, the Pryanik mine, carried the risk of detonating on accidental impact during deployment. Russian engineers reworked the design to eliminate this flaw, ensuring detonation occurs only when it strikes the intended target.

The upgraded mines have an additional advantage: they cannot be disarmed or dismantled. This feature prevents Ukrainian forces from analyzing the modifications and replicating the Russian version. The inability to neutralize the improved munition adds to its tactical value on the battlefield.