17,000 sq. km of Ukrainian territory have been cleared for use — outcomes of demining efforts in 2024

As of early 2024, 156,000 sq. km of Ukraine’s territory were potentially contaminated with explosive hazards due to russian aggression. Thanks to the joint efforts of mine action operators and mine clearance units of the National Security and Defence Forces, contaminated areas decreased by 17,000 sq. km last year, now totaling 139,000 sq. km.

“Non-technical surveys (NTS) were carried out across 165 territorial communities — close to three times the planned scope. Additionally, over 300 sq. km of potentially or actually contaminated areas have been identified, requiring further humanitarian demining,” stated Colonel Ruslan Berehulia, Head of the Main Directorate for Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety at the Ministry of Defence.

Over the year, 27 certified mine action operators undertook humanitarian demining efforts. This involved over 2,000 personnel, 27 mechanized demining machines, and six mine detection dog teams.

Last year, mine clearance units of the National Security and Defence Forces detected and neutralized 227,502 explosive devices, while mine action operators detected and neutralized 10,923.

The training centers of the Ministry of Defence, the State Emergency Service, the TETRA TECH company, the NGO “Humanitarian Demining Training Center,” and the SHERIFF Demining company trained 3,735 humanitarian demining specialists over the year.

International partners provide significant assistance in mine action to Ukraine. On February 15, 2024, during a meeting of NATO member states in Brussels, the Mine Action Coalition was established, currently comprising 22 countries.