During the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, 289 civilians, including 15 children, were killed as a result of detonating explosive devices, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klymenko announced.
"Deoccupied territories, areas near the front line are at the highest risk. This is where the main explanatory work is carried out regarding mine safety. But unfortunately, for various reasons, we are losing people. 289 people died as a result of detonating explosive devices, including 15 children," the minister said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
According to him, rural residents who try to cultivate fields without waiting for official permission from the authorities are blown up on mines, as well as those who "simply ignore all bans and walk on dangerous areas to gather mushrooms, for example, or just take a walk."
"There are also those who are driven by curiosity. They find a mine or some ordnance and try to dismantle it right on the spot or take it home. Why - the question is open. But people pay for this unclear curiosity with their health and lives," Klymenko explained.
He informed that to explain the mine danger to children, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with UNICEF, launched mobile safety classes.
"These are specialized vehicles equipped with interesting visuals about basic safety rules," he added.
According to the minister, besides mobile classes, there are also stationary safety classes installed directly in schools.
Regarding losses among sappers, as the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported, 21 employees of the State Emergency Service were killed during demining, and another 87 pyrotechnicians were injured.
