The TM-62 is a series of Soviet anti-tank blast mines produced in various variants. It served as the primary anti-tank landmine for the Soviet military. It has a central fuze and typically a explosive charge, but the variants differ greatly in detail. The mine can be laid manually or automatically from a mine laying machine including the PMR-1, PMR-2 wheeled towed mine layers, the GMZ-3 tracked mine laying vehicle and the VMR-2 helicopter mine laying system. The TM-62 can be fitted with the same fuzes as the TM-72, which include MVN-72 and MVN-80 fuzes, which are vibration and magnetism sensitive. The mine was used in the Russo-Ukrainian war for antitank and antipersonnel use (as satchel charges).
Both Ukrainian and Russian soldiers have been observed to use modified TM-62s as thrown satchel charges. In addition, Ukrainian forces have deployed drones equipped with modified TM-62 payloads for precision strikes. Strikes by a Russian UAV drone, the "Molniya-2," using a TM-62 mine as a warhead, have also been documented starting January 2025.
On 9 January 2026, German publication BILD released footage of Russian soldiers with an African âÂÂvolunteerâ with a TM-62 anti-tank mine strapped to body armour over his chest. The African soldier would then detonate the landmine, acting as a âÂÂkamikaze can openerâ for fortified Ukrainian positions. According to the BILD journalist, Julian Röpke, the âÂÂRussian army is now using African mercenaries as âÂÂcan openers.âÂÂ
Magnetic influence fuzes provide full-width attack, i.e. any part of the target vehicle passing over the mine will trigger detonation, not just the track or wheels. However, since magnetic fuzes are electronic, their operational life relies on battery power. Ultimately the battery will run down, after which the mine no longer functions. In contrast, a purely mechanical fuze (usually triggered via a Belleville spring) gives a much longer operational life e.g., mines planted 50 years previously will still detonate if a target vehicle drives over them.
It is easy to boobytrap a TM-62 mine by attaching a pull-fuze to it, or by concealing an MS-3, ML-7 or an ML-8 device underneath it. All three of these anti-handling devices function via pressure-release and therefore will trigger detonation if the mine is lifted from its position.