27/11/2024 Estonia (Eesti)
“If you ever come across anything suspicious like this item, please do not pick it up, contact your local law and/or enforcement agency for assistance”
Almost 2,000 unexploded Soviet-era shells were found during the first expansion phase of the Nursipalu practice area in south Estonia. Demining is in process. The current training zone will be more than tripled in size to around 10,000ha to accommodate the Estonian Defense Forces’ and NATO allies’ new equipment. Many of the objects were found in a 20-hectare patch of land cleared by the Estonian Center for Defense Investments (RKIK). “This area was used as a tank training ground during the Soviet era. We had information suggesting that unexploded ordnance might be found here,” said Elari Kalmaru, portfolio manager of RKIK training grounds. “We inspected the ground using metal detectors to a depth of up to 50 centimeters. Upon detecting a signal, we checked whether it was unexploded ordnance. If it was, we marked the location, ensured safety, and handed it over to the Defense Forces’ bomb disposal experts,” explained Demcraft OÜ deminer captain Martin Meos. In total, 1,736 explosives were dug out of the ground. Basically, we found projectiles of different calibers – from 37 to 88 millimeters in diameter. As there is an old firing range here, there is just stuff left on top of the firing range in the target area, stuff that has not been cleaned up,” Meos said. Kalmaru said the EDF does not work this way today. The majority of unexploded explosive devices are located and removed. We are collecting as much ammunition waste as possible. These specific items were gathered from the unexploded ordnance area in Nursipalu. While they are safe, I would not leave them lying around there,” said Kalmaru. Explosive ordnance discovered during the development of the training area is being neutralized by the Estonian Defense Forces’ bomb disposal experts. Due to the large number of explosive devices, they will be dismantled in stages across different training grounds.
Demineerijad paluvad leitud eset mitte puudutada ega liigutada. Mida roostesem ja kehvemas seisukorras lõhkekeha on, seda suuremat ohtu see inimesele kujutab. Pealtnäha ohutu lõhkekeha võib liigutamisel plahvatada, tuues kaasa traagilised tagajärjed. Leiu asukoht tuleks võimalusel märgistada. Võimalusel tuleks demineerijad ära oodata, hoiatada läheduses viibivaid inimesi ja mitte lubama teisi lähedusse. Lõhkekehale järele tulevad demineerijad, toimetavad selle ohutusse kohta ja teevad kahjutuks. Olenevalt lõhkekeha seisukorrast ja asukohast võidakse see kahjutuks teha ka sündmuskohal.
Biography of a Bomb
Dear editors, Biography of a bomb is aimed at highlighting the danger caused by unexploded bombs. Moreover, the most important aspect is that we work completely non profit, what drives us is raising awerness about this topic. We make use of your pictures and articles, but we need them to put a context in how findings are done. We trust in your understanding. We will (and we always do) cite the source and the author. We thank you for your comprehension
