Ukraine cannot afford to stop, whether it's on the battlefield or in the matter of demining. This was emphasized by the Minister of Internal Affairs during his address at the Demine Ukraine Forum.
The Demine Ukraine Forum is an event dedicated to the humanitarian demining of Ukrainian territory, particularly agricultural lands and infrastructure.
Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Klymenko noted that the government of Ukraine is currently making significant efforts for the swift demining of the reclaimed territories of Ukraine, as the return of people to normal life depends on it.
In particular, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained that there are 210 demining teams operating throughout Ukraine daily. This involves over 1,100 individuals and approximately 350 pieces of equipment. The majority of these forces are deployed in the Kherson region, Kharkiv region, Mykolaiv region, and Donetsk region.
"We have a clear understanding of where and how many demining teams are working today, which areas have already been cleared, and how many are planned. This visualization is necessary for planning work and understanding the scale, primarily for us. Currently, our main goal is to demine as much of our country's territory as possible within 10 years. To achieve this, we are considering all ideas and simultaneously inviting international partners. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine already has a strategy for systematic demining of our country," said Igor Klymenko.
The Minister of Internal Affairs explained that demining in Ukraine primarily depends on ongoing military operations because the enemy repeatedly shells most of the reclaimed territories. However, specialized equipment, including that provided by international partners, helps accelerate this process.
"At present, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine has over 430 various types of demining vehicles, robotic systems, drones, and catamarans for underwater demining. Thanks to the support of international partners, Ukraine has 15 mechanized demining vehicles in operation. With their help, approximately 250 hectares of territory have been cleared. For example, a demining vehicle can cover about a hectare per day, while a sapper would take 3-4 days to clear the same area," said Igor Klymenko.
The Minister of Internal Affairs also mentioned that there are specific areas that require special attention, such as the demining of agricultural land. Currently, the priority for demining is more than 44,000 hectares of agricultural land.
In addition to Igor Klymenko, the Demine Ukraine Forum was attended by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmyhal, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyridenko, Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Masuda Kuninori, and Ambassador of the United States to Ukraine Bridget Brink.
Ukraine's foreign partners once again emphasized the importance of forming an international coalition for demining in Ukraine. They called on other countries around the world to unite to assist Ukraine, as this is a prerequisite for the return of people to demined territories and the recovery of the economy.
"Demining is a significant challenge for Ukraine, but it is a prerequisite for the return of people. The perspective of Ukraine's reconstruction and the formation of a sustainable economy depends on it. We understand that tackling complex tasks requires effective planning, dedication to the cause, and, of course, support from partners. Ukraine's efforts in demining are extraordinary. I propose that all international partners find a way for demining to contribute to the development of the Ukrainian economy, the creation of new enterprises, and Ukraine's access to cutting-edge technologies. In turn, Japan will continue to support Ukraine and stand shoulder to shoulder until the last landmine is cleared in Ukraine," said the Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine, Masuda Kuninori.
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"More than 30% of Ukraine's territory is contaminated with mines - this is a crisis of enormous scale because it hinders the economic development of Ukraine's reclaimed territories. If we don't address this issue, the country's economy will be held back. Therefore, it's incredibly important to concentrate our efforts to help Ukraine in this area. Our goal is to assist Ukrainians in safely returning to their own territories. We reaffirm our unwavering support for your country once again. We stand with you now and will stand with you during the times of your country's recovery," emphasized Bridget Brink, the Ambassador of the United States to Ukraine.
It's worth noting that Demine Ukraine is a state program aimed at clearing Ukraine's territory of explosive hazards and mine contamination resulting from Russian aggression.
