Up to 30% percent of Ukrainian territory might be contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance

Since Russia started its war against Ukraine in 2014, mine contamination has been killing and maiming people. In total, an area 4,5 times the size of Switzerland has been mined in Ukraine.

In particular, “about 45% of the fields in regions where fighting occurred were mined by Russian troops. As a result, farmers` work has become deadly dangerous.”

“Humanitarian mine action in Ukraine has been a priority for the European Union and is only growing in importance. Because after the victory, Ukraine deserves to use 100% of its territories. The State Emergency Service, the Special Transport Service, the National Police, and other State operators are bravely clearing the Ukrainian land from deadly remnants of the invasion. We want to strengthen our support to them,” said the EU Ambassador in Ukraine, Matti Maasikas.

He also recalled that during the last visit of High Representative Josep Borrell to Ukraine, additional support for demining operations in Ukraine was announced. Matti Maasikas emphasized that the EU will continue helping Ukraine with survey, clearance, and mine risk education, providing necessary equipment together with its member states.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported, due to Russian military aggression, Ukraine is the most mined country in the world. About 170-180 km of its territories are contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance. It might take up to 70 years to completely clear the Ukrainian land. In particular, since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Ukrainian sappers have defused 332,030 explosive items, including 2,191 aerial bombs, informed in March 2023 the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.