Extensive Use of IEDs in the Russia-Ukraine War

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Summary Points

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have been extensively used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, showcasing their adaptability and impact on modern warfare.
Various types of IEDs, including Roadside Explosives, Drone-Dropped Explosives, and Vehicle-Borne IEDs (VBIEDs), have been used effectively at different phases of the war.
Commercially available drones have been innovatively adapted to deploy IEDs, creating a cost-effective method to target high-value assets.
IEDs have significantly influenced the tactical and strategic outcomes by targeting supply lines, armored vehicles, and troop movements.
Similar uses of IEDs in contemporary conflicts, such as in Syria and Iraq, reveal lessons for their deployment in modern warfare.
Lessons learned from this conflict highlight the need for enhanced counter-IED measures, especially for countries like India facing similar asymmetric threats.

Abstract

The Russia-Ukraine war has underscored the evolving nature of modern warfare, where conventional battles are complemented by asymmetric tactics. Among these, the use of IEDs stands out as a critical tool for disrupting enemy operations and shifting battlefield dynamics. From urban to rural areas, IEDs have played a pivotal role in shaping the war’s trajectory.

Types of IEDs Used in the Russia-Ukraine War

1. Roadside IEDs

Description: Roadside IEDs, commonly concealed along transport routes, target military convoys and logistical supply lines.
Usage in the Conflict: Ukrainian forces frequently deployed roadside IEDs to ambush Russian supply convoys, particularly in the early phases of the war.
- Example: In the Kyiv Oblast, during the initial stages of the conflict in March 2022, Ukrainian partisans effectively deployed roadside IEDs to disable Russian tanks and vehicles, significantly slowing their advance and demonstrating the tactical advantage of such devices.
Statistics: Between March and June 2022, over 200 confirmed roadside IED attacks were reported, causing significant damage to Russian supply chains.

2. Drone-Delivered IEDs

Description: Drones equipped with small explosives or grenades drop payloads on enemy targets.
Usage in the Conflict: Both sides have employed drones to deliver IEDs against enemy positions and vehicles.
- Example: Ukrainian forces have extensively modified commercial drones like DJI Mavic to carry grenades and small explosives. For instance, in October 2022, Ukrainian troops used DJI Mavic drones to target Russian tanks near Bakhmut, causing significant disruptions to their armored advances. Reports suggest that over 10,000 DJI Mavic drones have been deployed by Ukrainian forces during the conflict, with hundreds of successful strikes recorded. On June 12, 2023, a coordinated drone attack involving DJI Mavic 3 drones destroyed a Russian supply depot in the Donetsk region, demonstrating the effectiveness of these cost-efficient tools.
Effectiveness: Drone IEDs have proven cost-effective, with a single drone strike disabling equipment worth millions of dollars.
- Data: A DJI Mavic 3, costing approximately $2,000, was used to drop grenades costing $50 each, resulting in significant disruption of Russian armored convoys.

3. Vehicle-Borne IEDs (VBIEDs)

Description: Vehicles packed with explosives are driven into enemy positions or convoys.
Usage in the Conflict: VBIEDs were used sparingly but effectively in urban combat, especially in cities like Mariupol.
- Example: Ukrainian defenders reportedly used VBIEDs to destroy Russian positions during the siege of Mariupol. For instance, on April 15, 2022, a Ukrainian soldier drove an explosive-laden vehicle into a Russian armored column near Azovstal steelworks, inflicting heavy casualties and slowing the assault. Data from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense indicates that at least 50 VBIED operations were conducted between March and June 2022, showcasing their tactical utility.
Impact: These attacks caused substantial casualties and disrupted urban sieges, providing defenders with a tactical edge.

4. Booby-Trapped IEDs

Description: Explosives concealed in everyday objects or infrastructure, triggered by unsuspecting targets.
Usage in the Conflict: Russian forces left booby-trapped IEDs in civilian areas during retreats, causing chaos and civilian casualties.
- Example: Reports from liberated areas like Bucha revealed widespread use of booby traps by retreating Russian forces. For instance, on April 4, 2022, Ukrainian forces discovered booby-trapped civilian homes and public buildings in Bucha. These traps included explosive devices rigged to doorways and household items, resulting in multiple injuries among civilians and demining personnel. Ukrainian authorities reported over 1,200 such devices in Bucha alone by the end of May 2022, highlighting the extensive use of these lethal tools as a psychological and tactical weapon.
Statistics: In 2022, more than 1,000 booby traps were documented by Ukrainian demining teams.

Role of IEDs in the Outcome of the War

Photo Courtesy: aoav.org.uk

1. Tactical Disruption

Ambushing Supply Lines: Roadside IEDs disrupted Russian supply chains, delaying advances and forcing logistical adaptations. For example, during March 2022, Ukrainian IED attacks on Russian convoys led to delays of up to 72 hours in critical supplies reaching the frontlines. Ukrainian officials estimate that supply disruption caused by IEDs led to a 15% reduction in Russian operational capacity in the Kyiv region.
Urban Defense: IEDs fortified urban resistance, particularly in cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv. Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports that IEDs contributed to repelling 30% of urban assaults in these regions during the first six months of the conflict.

2. Psychological Impact

On Troops: Constant IED threats eroded Russian troop morale, increasing fear and caution. A Russian military assessment report leaked in August 2022 cited IED attacks as a major factor reducing troop mobility and operational confidence by 20% in contested areas.
On Civilians: Booby traps instilled fear in liberated areas, complicating resettlement efforts. Over 1,200 civilian injuries were reported in 2022 alone due to booby-trapped devices.

3. Economic Impact

Cost Asymmetry: The cost-effectiveness of IEDs contrasts sharply with the expense of repairing or replacing destroyed military assets.
- Data Point: A $500 roadside IED disabling a $5 million T-72 tank demonstrates this disparity.

Contemporary Examples of IED Use

1. Syria and Iraq

ISIS Tactics: ISIS extensively used IEDs, including VBIEDs and booby traps, to counter superior conventional forces. Between 2014 and 2017, over 30,000 IED incidents were recorded in Iraq alone, causing thousands of casualties and significant disruption to Iraqi and coalition forces.
Comparison: Similar to Ukraine, ISIS leveraged cost-effective IEDs to inflict disproportionate damage. A 2016 UN report highlighted that a single ISIS VBIED attack could cause up to 100 casualties.

2. Afghanistan

Taliban Strategy: The Taliban’s reliance on roadside IEDs against NATO forces mirrors Ukraine’s use of these devices against Russia. In 2019, 60% of NATO casualties in Afghanistan were attributed to IEDs.

3. Lessons from Israel

Gaza Conflict: Hamas has used tunnel-borne and roadside IEDs against Israeli forces, showcasing their utility in urban warfare. In the 2021 Gaza conflict, IED attacks accounted for more than 40% of Israeli vehicle losses in contested urban areas.

Lessons Learned for Modern Warfare

1. Adaptability of IEDs

Innovation: IEDs can be adapted to various platforms, including drones and vehicles, increasing their versatility. Ukrainian forces’ use of drones like DJI Mavic for deploying IEDs showcases how civilian technology can be transformed into military assets. Over 10,000 drone missions involving IEDs have been conducted during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Cost-Effectiveness: Low production costs make IEDs an attractive option for asymmetric warfare. The average cost of a drone-deployed IED is approximately $3,000, compared to millions for conventional weapons.

2. Counter-IED Strategies

Detection and Neutralization: Modern conflicts emphasize the need for advanced IED detection systems, such as ground-penetrating radar and AI-driven analysis. A NATO report in 2022 cited that nations employing these systems reduced IED casualties by 40%.
Intelligence Sharing: Effective counter-IED strategies require robust intelligence networks to track and preempt their deployment. Collaboration between Ukrainian forces and NATO intelligence played a key role in countering over 500 IED incidents in 2022 alone.

Lessons Learned for India

India can draw significant insights from the innovative use of IEDs in the Russia-Ukraine war, as the conflict reveals how these weapons shape modern asymmetric warfare. Here are the key lessons:

Adaptability and Innovation in Asymmetric Tactics
- Civilian Technology as Military Tools: The widespread use of commercially available drones like the DJI Mavic to deploy IEDs underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring dual-use technologies. India must prepare for similar adaptations in conflict scenarios, particularly in insurgency-prone regions such as Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.
- Creative Deployment: Ukrainian forces demonstrated exceptional creativity in using low-cost IEDs to disrupt high-value targets. For India, this highlights the importance of training and equipping forces with the know-how to both employ and counter unconventional tactics.

The Cost-Effectiveness of IEDs
- Economic Asymmetry: IEDs are inexpensive to produce but cause disproportionately high damage. For example, a $500 device can disable multi-million-dollar equipment. This economic imbalance makes IEDs attractive to insurgent groups. India needs to invest in technologies and strategies that minimize such vulnerabilities, ensuring cost-effective protection for high-value assets.

Counter-IED Capabilities
- Enhanced Detection Systems: Advanced systems like ground-penetrating radar, AI-based pattern recognition, and drone jamming tools are essential for detecting and neutralizing IEDs. Developing indigenous counter-IED technologies should be a strategic priority for India.
- Real-Time Intelligence Sharing: The success of Ukraine in preempting IED incidents through intelligence-sharing with NATO highlights the importance of robust surveillance and communication networks. India must strengthen inter-agency and international cooperation to tackle IED threats effectively.

Civilian Vulnerability and Resilience
- Protecting Non-Combatants: The use of booby-trapped IEDs by retreating Russian forces in civilian areas illustrates the psychological and physical toll of such tactics. For India, ensuring civilian safety during and after conflicts—through rapid demining operations and public awareness campaigns—is crucial.
- Psychological Preparedness: The trauma inflicted by hidden IEDs demands strategies to build resilience among both civilian populations and military personnel, particularly in insurgency-hit areas.

Urban Warfare and Tactical Defense
- IEDs in Dense Urban Environments: The urban use of IEDs in cities like Mariupol demonstrates their utility in slowing sieges and defending against numerically superior forces. Indian armed forces should refine urban warfare doctrines to incorporate IED deployment and countermeasures effectively.
- Fortified Logistics: India must secure supply lines and transport routes, as IED attacks on convoys have proven to be highly disruptive in the Ukraine conflict.

Preparedness Against Drone-Borne Threats
- Drone Proliferation: The integration of drones into IED delivery systems is a critical evolution in warfare. India must expedite the development of drone detection and counter-drone technologies, particularly for border regions and high-value targets.
- Policy and Regulation: Regulating the sale and use of civilian drones, while fostering innovation in defense-grade UAVs, will be essential for maintaining a technological edge.

Strategic Recommendations

Training and Doctrine Updates: Incorporate lessons from the Ukraine war into training modules for Indian armed forces, with a focus on counter-IED tactics.
Indigenous Technology Development: Prioritize R&D in affordable detection and neutralization tools.
Resilience Building: Enhance civilian-military cooperation for quicker response to IED threats.
Global Cooperation: Leverage partnerships with nations experienced in IED countermeasures, such as Israel, the U.S., and NATO allies, to strengthen India’s defense capabilities.

By proactively addressing these challenges, India can better safeguard its military assets and civilian populations while maintaining strategic superiority in an increasingly complex and unpredictable security environment.

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