UDS Demonstrated Humanitarian Demining Processes to the Ministry of Environmental Protection
Today, in the village of Makariv, Kyiv region, a demonstration of humanitarian demining processes took place. The event featured the operation of the remotely controlled Germina system, developed and manufactured by PJSC "KZVV."
Participants included Serhii Vlasenko, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine; Volodymyr Baida, Director of the Humanitarian Demining Center; Ihor Hopchak, Head of the State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine; senior officials from the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine; representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyiv Regional Military Administration, the State Agency for Exclusion Zone Management, the Chornobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve, SSE "Pivnichna Pushcha," SSE "EcoCentre," SE "Forests of Ukraine," JSC "Ukrgazvydobuvannya," the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian National Association for Humanitarian Demining (UNAHM), the State Land Bank LLC, and SE "Ukroboronservice."
UDS demonstrated that all their processes are fully compliant with environmental standards and principles. UDS has implemented and adheres to ISO 14001 standards, IMAS 07.11 environmental standards, and Ukrainian environmental legislation.
💬 "Demining forest and water facilities involves heightened responsibility, as environmental preservation is a key value for UDS," stated Eduard Drach, UDS Technical Director.
The demonstration included:
- Non-technical survey
- Mechanized demining
- Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE)
- Technical survey
- Disposal/destruction of explosive ordnance (EO)
Sixteen UDS deminers briefed the guests on the environmental specifics of implementing standard operating procedures.
The capabilities of the Germina system were also presented. It is designed for demining operations, including in hard-to-reach forest areas. The machine is powered by a 380-horsepower Caterpillar engine and can clear up to 1 hectare per hour. It can neutralize both anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines with explosive resistance of up to 9 kg of TNT. Germinaallows adjustable soil processing depths of 5, 15, 25, or 35 cm, offering flexibility for various terrain types.
💬 "The advantage of mechanized demining lies in its speed—it enables operations to be conducted up to 30 times faster than manual demining. This is critically important for the prompt return of agricultural land to productive use. Safety is another key benefit of the Germina system, as it is remotely operated and minimizes risks to personnel. Equally important is the fact that this machine is both manufactured and serviced in Ukraine. This supports the national manufacturer, contributes to economic development, and significantly shortens repair and maintenance times. Additionally, Ukrainian-made equipment is more affordable and creates local jobs. Given the vast amount of land still under occupation, demand for such machines will be enormous after de-occupation," said Colonel Olha Drobot, Head of the Mine Action Department of the Main Directorate for Civil Protection and Environmental Safety at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
During the event, Vitalii Zahudaiev, Chairman of the Board of PJSC "Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Building Plant," emphasized that the plant is fully capable of meeting the needs of Ukrainian humanitarian demining operators with these robotic machines.
Germina is a Ukrainian solution—cheaper, higher-quality, and more productive than foreign counterparts.
The demonstration took place on a site that UDS cleared of mines last year in the Makariv district.