Ukrainian demining specialists to undergo training at the Lebanon Mine Action Center

Demining specialists of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Special Transport Service will undergo training at the Regional School for Humanitarian Demining based at the Lebanon Mine Action Center. The training will be funded by France.

This agreement was reached during a working visit of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence delegation to France. 

“We thank the Government of the French Republic and the people of France for their support in the fight against the russian aggressor. The composition, duration, and level of training for the Ukrainian demining specialists will be determined at a later stage,” – said Colonel Ruslan Berehulia, Head of the Main Directorate for Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety. 

The representatives of the Ministry of Defence held working meetings with Ambassador for Mine Action Yves Marek, international civil protection technical expert Jean-Yves Siffointe, and Prefect of Haut-Rhin Emmanuel Aubry.

The parties discussed the main risks of chemical contamination of soil caused by explosive remnants of war and chemical warfare agents in the long term. The Ukrainian delegation shared its experience in demining contaminated areas and the use of various methodologies to assess the level of contamination.

Special attention was paid to establishing cooperation and exchanging experience. The discussions focused on introducing a systematic approach to quality assurance of demined land and the active use of modern technical means to detect residual contamination by hazardous chemicals. 

The French side reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing material and technical assistance to Ukraine and to expand cooperation in the area of mine action.