Ukraine Littered With Landmines
The country, often described as the most mine-contaminated in the world, faces a daunting task of removing landmines, with the use of drone-delivered munitions increasing the scale of the problem
Ukraine is often described as the most mine-contaminated country in the world, with a scale of landmine contamination comparable to that seen in Vietnam during the war. The use of long-range drones in Ukraine is increasing the scale of the landmine problem, making it a challenging task for deminers to remove them safely and efficiently.
The POM-3 mine, a small cylindrical mine used by Russian forces, is a new and deadly threat that can be mistaken for an abandoned vacuum flask. It is detonated by the vibrations of approaching footsteps, making it a significant challenge for deminers. The Halo Trust, the largest international humanitarian demining organisation in Ukraine, is working to remove landmines from the country.
The demining sector in Ukraine has received $1.5bn in funding since the start of the full-scale invasion, which has enabled deminers to use technological innovations, such as drones and AI, to remove landmines more safely and efficiently. The traditional hands-and-knees approach to demining can take up to 45 minutes to clear a small patch of land, making it a time-consuming and labor-intensive process.
## Why it matters The removal of landmines is crucial for making the land usable again for civilians. Landmines are a scourge of conflict zones, leaving land unusable for years after a war has ended. The use of long-range drones in Ukraine has increased the scale of the problem, making it essential to find innovative solutions to remove landmines safely and efficiently. The funding received by the demining sector in Ukraine will play a critical role in supporting the efforts of deminers to remove landmines and make the land safe for civilians.
The task of clearing landmines from Ukraine is replete with challenges, including drone and missile attacks that make working outdoors unsafe, and humanitarian workers are sometimes directly targeted. However, with the help of technological innovations and funding, deminers are working to remove landmines and make the land safe for civilians. The removal of landmines is a critical step towards rebuilding and recovering from the conflict in Ukraine.
## What happens next The demining process in Ukraine is expected to be a long and challenging one, requiring significant funding and resources. However, with the help of technological innovations and the support of organisations like the Halo Trust, deminers are working to remove landmines and make the land safe for civilians. The international community will need to continue to support the demining efforts in Ukraine to ensure that the land is made safe and usable again for civilians.
