UDS will begin the demining of the Irpin and Southern Bug rivers. The first step — NTS!

Ukrainian demining services (UDS) will soon start the non-technical survey (NTS) of the Irpin River (Kyiv region) and the Southern Bug River (within the Mykolaiv region). The focus will be on water bodies and coastal areas contaminated as a result of the war.The goal is to conduct full-scale humanitarian demining without involving state budget funds.

The first stage — the survey (NTS), which will allow to:

• identify types of threats;

• assess the level of contamination;

• develop effective cleaning plans.

The work is carried out based on signed memoranda with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine and the State Agency for Water Resources of Ukraine.

🤝 The cooperation includes:

• conducting NTS and demining water areas and coastal zones;

• informing local communities about the risks;

• attracting international donor support for financing the work, without additional burden on the state budget.

💬 "Unfortunately, mines and unexploded ordnance are the consequences of the military actions that have been ongoing in our country for the fourth year. This poses a serious threat both to water management workers and local communities. I am confident that through cooperation with professionals in the field of humanitarian demining, we will gradually restore safe access to water bodies, especially in the liberated territories," emphasized the head of the State Water Agency, Ihor Hopchak.

UDS has certified capability for waterbody clearance, in compliance with:

• DSTU ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental management system;

• IMAS 07.11 — Environmental considerations in mine action;

• Ukrainian legislation on environmental protection and mine action.

🔰 UDS is the only non-governmental operator in Ukraine that systematically, qualitatively, and ecologically responsibly conducts demining of water bodies.

🔰 We work with respect for nature, responsibility towards communities, and with the understanding that safe water is the foundation of life.