140,000 km² of Contaminated Land Can Be Cleared Within 10 Years — If Modern Demining Machines Are Used

140,000 km² of Ukrainian land are currently contaminated with explosive remnants of war. The scale is catastrophic — such a volume of demining has not been seen since World War II. Without the use of modern technologies, this process could take hundreds of years. However, with the implementation of safe and productive demining machines, it could be completed within just 10 years.

This was one of the key messages discussed at the National Workshop “Current Challenges and Innovative Approaches in the Field of Humanitarian Demining”, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. The event brought together representatives of the public sector, international organizations, certified demining operators, technology developers, and the scientific community to jointly explore ways to improve the efficiency of demining operations in Ukraine.

🔎 Key topics of discussion included:

1. Implementation of the National Mine Action Strategy through 2033;
2. Launch of the Registry of Mined Areas;
3. Use of the GRID system for analytical prioritization of land clearance;
4. Development of a testing ecosystem for innovative demining technologies;
5. Introduction of a state compensation program for farmers affected by contamination;
6. Regulatory and digitalization challenges in the sector.

💬 Volodymyr Beshley, Deputy Director General of UDS, emphasized in his speech:

"It’s time to implement technologies that are adapted to real field conditions. Machines like the Ukrainian-made Germina are not just an alternative — they are a real opportunity to return land to people faster and more safely."

Beshley presented the Germina remote-controlled demining machine, produced by Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Building Plant (PJSC), and invited demining operators and donors to attend demonstration events.

🔔 Main takeaway from the event: Humanitarian demining can no longer rely solely on manual labor. It is time to integrate data analytics, artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, drones, and human expertise into a unified system.

Special thanks to the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and OSCE projects in Ukraine for the opportunity to take part in such a valuable professional discussion.