UDS at the “mechanism of safety” roundtable: sharing expertise in mechanized demining

Oleksii Voitsekhovskyi, Specialist in Experimental Operation of Machines and Mechanisms at UDS, participated in the “Mechanism of Safety” roundtable organized by the Main Directorate for Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine in partnership with UNDP and Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.

The event brought together equipment manufacturers and developers, scientific and research institutions, civil society organizations, international partners, and mine action operators who apply mechanized demining solutions in the field.

The objective was to align approaches to the use of mechanized assets and develop methodological recommendations for the sector.

During the discussions on mechanized demining, Oleksii Voitsekhovskyi shared UDS’s practical experience operating in diverse climatic and terrain conditions across different regions of Ukraine. He also presented the Ukrainian-made Germina demining machine, highlighting its advantages and ability to operate effectively in real-world field conditions, including challenging soils, dense vegetation, and temperatures ranging from -20°C to +40°C. Particular attention was given to the advantages of heavy-class demining machines compared to small unmanned ground vehicles and other demining solutions.

Key topics discussed during the event included the results of an industry-wide survey, case studies of unconventional equipment deployment, certification and testing procedures, as well as updates to DSTU 8820-4, which regulates mechanized demining processes in Ukraine.

We thank the organizers for the opportunity to contribute to this important professional dialogue.