Wars leave behind destruction, displacement, and scars that can last for generations.
But one of the most immediate dangers after a battle ends is something often overlooked — unexploded ordnance.
Bombs, landmines, and other munitions that fail to detonate on impact remain lethal long after the fighting has moved elsewhere.
From Vietnam to the Balkans, many countries still deal with remnants of past conflicts, making bomb disposal teams a critical part of rebuilding efforts.
Russian FAB-500 bomb Neutralized
Ukraine is now facing a similar challenge. As battles rage across the country, unexploded bombs continue to endanger civilians and those working to clear them.
In the Kharkiv region, emergency crews recently neutralized a Russian FAB-500 bomb, a massive 1,100-pound explosive device.
It was found lying in an open field between villages, discovered by locals who immediately alerted authorities.
Bomb disposal experts arrived on the scene and safely transported the device for controlled neutralization. Had it gone off, the damage could have been catastrophic.
The FAB-500, originally developed in the Soviet Union, has been widely used by Russian forces.
Early models were simple free-fall bombs, but newer versions now include satellite-guided wings, making them more accurate and deadly.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported that on the same day this bomb was removed, specialists defused 186 other explosive devices across the country.
The scale of the threat is enormous, and disposal teams work tirelessly to clear areas where civilians live, farm, or travel. These teams often operate in dangerous conditions, knowing that a single mistake could be fatal.
