The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) reports that more than 70% of accessible land in Ukraine has been successfully cleared of anti-personnel mines and explosive devices, marking major progress in the country's demining efforts.
Of the 45,000 square kilometers of accessible territory, approximately 35,000 square kilometers were cleared through investigations and mine removal operations by the end of last year. The FSD has examined nearly 120 square kilometers since the beginning of the conflict, focusing their efforts in the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson regions.
"We can be optimistic," said FSD Director Hansjörg Eberle in Geneva, despite the massive scale of the clearance operation. The organization's work, along with other institutions, has allowed thousands of hectares to be safely returned to agricultural use and civilian access.
The FSD recently partnered with the Ukrainian Center for Humanitarian Protection (UCHP) to provide support in demining techniques and management systems. Nearly 400,000 people have received training on mine identification through these combined efforts.
Looking ahead, the FSD plans to test an innovative drone equipped with ground-penetrating radar in the coming weeks. This new technology promises to speed up the detection process for anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance with improved accuracy.
Ukraine aims to decontaminate 80% of its territory by 2033, with support from the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). However, experts estimate complete clearance of the entire country could take several centuries.
A workshop involving international donors and Ukrainian officials is scheduled for next week in Geneva to discuss ongoing demining efforts and support.