Ukrainian Army may have destroyed a fourth Russian ISDM Zemledeliye minelaying system in Donetsk.

On July 21, 2024, the Ukrainian 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade shared a video that possibly shows the destruction of a Russian ISDM Zemledeliye remote minelaying system in the Pokrovsk direction, located in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. This could mark the fourth recorded destruction of such systems by Ukrainian forces. The ISDM Zemledeliye has been used by Russia in both offensive and defensive operations, impacting Ukrainian movements in the region.
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The ISDM Zemledeliye system, developed by the Russian state corporation Rostec, is designed to cover extensive areas rapidly, with a firing range between 5 to 15 kilometers. (Picture source: Russian media)

A new batch of the ISDM Zemledeliye system, developed by the Russian state corporation Rostec, was delivered early to the Russian armed forces, as reported on October 13, 2023. This system is designed to cover extensive areas rapidly, with a firing range between 5 to 15 kilometers. It deploys 122mm caliber missiles, each equipped with warheads containing either anti-tank or anti-personnel mines. The system includes two pods, each with 25 mine launcher tubes, enabling it to create minefields comparable to several football fields in just a few minutes.

The programmable ammunition of the Zemledeliye can self-destruct or deactivate at predetermined intervals, facilitating faster and safer mine clearance after military operations. The system is mounted on an 8x8 Kamaz 6560 military truck and consists of a combat vehicle, a transport-loading vehicle, and transport-launch containers filled with various types of mines. Its operation is similar to a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), using solid fuel engine ammunition loaded with mines.

This system has been employed in various regions of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia direction and northeastern parts of the country. The ISDM is utilized to create anti-access zones and protect supply routes by laying mines remotely. The mines dispersed by this system, such as the POM-2, are intended to self-destruct, but there have been cases where they failed to deactivate, posing ongoing risks for both Ukrainian military personnel and civilians.

Prior to this video, three destructions of Russian ISDM Zemledeliye remote minelaying systems by the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been confirmed. (Picture source: Twitter/UkraineNewsLive)

The ISDM Zemledeliye features automated systems for the preparation and input of flight mission data and mine self-destruction parameters. It can automatically fire a salvo at calculated aiming points, record the coordinates of impacts on an electronic map, and transmit data to higher control levels. The system's "smart" capabilities allow for the programming of mines to engage specific targets, reducing the risk of unintended detonations. Additionally, the system includes sensors to detect friendly forces, preventing accidental engagements with allied vehicles.

The ISDM Zemledeliye system comprises two main vehicles: the ISDM Zemledeliye-BM, the mine-laying vehicle, and the ISDM Zemledeliye-I, the transport-loading vehicle. Both vehicles are built on the KamAZ-6560 chassis and are powered by a YaMZ-5367 diesel engine that produces 400 horsepower. The system supports two sets of 25 122mm tube launchers, capable of deploying anti-tank or anti-personnel mines. The transport-loading vehicle is equipped with a rear-mounted crane, ensuring efficient reloading and sustained operational capacity.

Additionally, on February 28, 2024, during a visit to NPO Strela, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attended the unveiling of the new Vozrozhdenie bi-caliber multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). This system, based on the ISDM Zemledeliye 8x8 mine-laying system, can launch 140mm mines for anti-tank or anti-personnel purposes and 220mm rockets from various Russian MLRS systems, including the BM-27 Uragan, TOS-1 Buratino, TOS-1A Solntsepek, and TOS-2 Tosochka.

The ISDM Zemledeliye system comprises two main vehicles: the ISDM Zemledeliye-BM, the mine-laying vehicle, and the ISDM Zemledeliye-I, the transport-loading vehicle equipped with a dedicated crane. (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)