Explosive device in field kills 2 boys in Sumy Oblast
Two 14-year-old boys in the Konotop district were killed after the device detonated, Governor Oleh Hryhorov said. The prevalence of unexploded ordnance and landmines poses severe risk to Ukrainian civilians in front-line regions.
Two 14-year-old boys were killed on October 7 after encountering an explosive device in a field in Konotop, Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, reported Governor Oleh Hryhorov. The boys discovered the device while in the local field, and it subsequently detonated, causing severe injuries that led to their deaths on the spot. Konotop, located about 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the Russian border, experiences daily attacks, posing risks to civilians even after air raid sirens cease.
Hryhorov warned that civilians face constant enemy attacks and the serious danger of encountering explosive devices, advising them to stay away from suspicious objects. Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a severe threat due to Russia's five-year invasion, transforming Ukraine into the world's largest minefield, with up to a quarter of the country contaminated.
Hundreds of civilians have lost their lives to unexploded ordnance since February 2022, though the actual number is likely higher.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
