As Ukraine continues to confront the aftermath of conflict, significant strides have been made in clearing landmines from agricultural areas. Currently, over 15,000 hectares of farmland have been successfully demined, yet more than 133,000 square kilometers of territory remain potentially hazardous due to unexploded ordnance.
This information was shared via Telegram by the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko. Today marks the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, highlighting the ongoing dangers posed by landmines in the region.
“More than 100,000 square kilometers of our country are still potentially dangerous. However, Ukraine is doing everything to enhance safety everywhere. Over 15,000 hectares of agricultural land have already been cleared. This year, farmers will be able to sow them again,” stated the Office of the President.
In addition to land clearance, efforts are underway to remove mines from the Black Sea. Ukrainian specialists have already cleared over 168 square kilometers of maritime territory, facilitating the restoration of shipping routes.
“We have resumed navigation in the Black Sea and remain one of the key guarantors of global food security. Our teams are utilizing advanced drones, including Hugin, Mariner, Defender, Remus, Sea Fox, Sea Cat, and Otter,” the statement continued.
Despite these efforts, the toll of landmines remains severe. Klymenko reported that 1,431 individuals have suffered injuries from explosive remnants of war, including 146 children.
“Under challenging conditions, the Ministry of Internal Affairs continues its demining operations. Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, bomb disposal units from the State Emergency Service and the National Police have surveyed over 248,000 hectares and discovered more than 1.1 million dangerous items,” Klymenko noted.
In addition to daily demining activities, bomb disposal teams are also engaged in preventive measures, including educational programs for children. Currently, 28 mobile classrooms are operational, comprising 15 general safety classes and 13 specialized in mine safety.
“Our specialists pay particular attention to working in liberated areas, where educating people about handling explosive materials is critically important. Thanks to the active work of these classes, over 600,000 individuals have been trained to date,” Klymenko added.
Moreover, in March alone, Ministry of Defense units cleared 876 hectares of liberated territories. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 2,831 hectares have been cleared of mines, including over 65.43 hectares of agricultural land, 10.67 kilometers of roads, 3.73 kilometers of power lines, and 46.44 kilometers of railways.
In March, 557 explosive items were identified and destroyed, bringing the total number of munitions neutralized since the start of the full-scale war to 481,590. Earlier, the Director of the Department of Mine Action at the State Emergency Service, Serhiy Reva, reported that since the beginning of the conflict, nearly 200,000 hectares have been cleared and 600,000 explosive items have been neutralized.
Ukraine has made progress in clearing landmines, with over 15,000 hectares of farmland demined. However, significant areas remain hazardous, impacting safety and agricultural activities.