Ukrainian territories that were under russian occupation may still pose a mine threat. 

Despite ongoing efforts by state agencies and demining operators, since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 1,052 people have been injured by explosives in de-occupied territories: 311 died, and 741 were wounded.

Oleksandr Riabtsev, a representative of the Main Directorate for Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety, reported this during a UNICEF Working Group meeting.

"The bulk of incidents happened as a result of incorrect handling of explosive devices, with 221 victims. Additionally, 188 instances occurred while agricultural activity, 145 during travel, and 123 while conducting home activities," stated Oleksandr Riabtsev.

The National Mine Action Authority Secretariat reports that the majority of accidents, comprising 75% of incidents, were attributed to mines.

Oleksandr Riabtsev also highlighted new threats to civilians related to the use of drones by russian forces to drop "Petal" type anti-personnel mines in frontline areas. He reminded that such actions by the enemy are a blatant violation of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

The online meeting of the Working Group featured participants from the National Mine Action Authority Secretariat, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, mine action operators, and UNICEF.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense reported that approximately 20% of shells and other munitions in the combat zone fail to detonate. Currently, about one-fifth of the country’s territory requires clearance from unexploded ordnance.

Authorized units from the central executive bodies, which are responsible for clearing de-occupied areas of explosive remnants of war, include demining groups from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal units of the National Police, and the Pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

Humanitarian demining in Ukraine, in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On Mine Action in Ukraine," is conducted exclusively by mine action operators.