Approximately 139,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory are currently potentially contaminated with explosive devices. To accelerate humanitarian demining efforts, the Ministry of Defense has initiated the creation of an ecosystem of testing grounds for new demining technologies. This will help speed up the implementation of innovative solutions in this field.
This was discussed during the workshop titled "Modern Challenges and Innovative Approaches in Mine Action," which saw the participation of over 300 attendees. The event was organized by the Ministry of Defense with the support of the OSCE.
"We are not just creating testing grounds or databases – we are building a new security ecosystem, where every innovation undergoes real testing, and every solution has the support of the professional community. This is a systemic infrastructure that works for life," said Colonel Ruslan Berehulia, Head of the Main Directorate for Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety.
The ecosystem of testing grounds is planned to have a hybrid model of interaction, which means synchronizing state, educational, manufacturing, and operational platforms for testing new solutions.
The central element of the future infrastructure will be the Training and Testing Complex for the development of new technologies and innovations in mine action, civil protection, and environmental safety, presented during the event.
This large-scale initiative, implemented with the involvement of the Ministry of Defense and interested partners, includes the creation of specialized testing zones (for explosive, water, and dynamic testing), a laboratory and analytical base for research and trials, an educational center for specialist training, including international training programs, and a platform for testing and certifying new technologies for use.
The complex will accelerate the implementation of technologies, enhance the quality of operator training, provide strong scientific support for innovations, and become a shared platform for cooperation between the government, business, science, and international organizations.
In total, the workshop brought together over a hundred Ukrainian and international organizations, including defense clusters, innovation hubs, associations of manufacturers, mine action operators, and international partners such as UNDP, the Geneva Centre for Humanitarian Demining, HALO Trust, and the Danish Refugee Council.
