Ukraine faces nearly 150,000 square kilometers of mine contamination
Demining efforts in Kharkiv region (photo: video screenshot)
Ukraine remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. According to experts, more than 142,000 square kilometers of territory are potentially hazardous. The most challenging situation is in the eastern and southern regions, according to the national telethon.
In the east and south of the country, sappers clear on average 60–70 hectares of land every day. In particular, in the Kharkiv region, the consequences of occupation are still noticeable.
A local agronomist said in the report that after de-occupation, the farm could cultivate only a quarter of its fields, but now the areas available for work have tripled. However, thousands of mines and unexploded ordnance remain in the region.
The head of the Pryshyb community noted that many shells were found even in residents' homes. After that, a humanitarian project by FSD Ukraine (Swiss Foundation for Mine Action), supported by the JTI Foundation, began operating here. Specialists inspect territories and mark hazardous areas.
FSD regional manager Alex Van Roy said the team is working to minimize risks for the population.
Demining experts say that demining is painstaking work that requires attention and specialized equipment. Specialists emphasize that partner support remains crucial — including machinery, protective equipment, and transport.
The Ukrainian Sappers Association also joined the project, focusing on marking hazardous areas. In the Kharkiv region, teams faced limited access to some sites, but the experience gained is planned to be applied in the Chernihiv and Kherson regions. Foreign specialists help coordinate the work.
After marking, the hazardous territory is transferred for demining. Currently, more than 4,000 sappers and over 100 demining operators work in Ukraine.
JTI Ukraine notes that humanitarian demining is a tool that allows people to return home and supports the country's economic recovery.
The JTI Foundation provided about half a million dollars for demining in the Kharkiv region. Thanks to this, more than 38 square kilometers of territory have been cleared, and more than 17,000 people have completed mine safety training programs.
