The Ministry of Economy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), MAG, and APOPO, has begun work on reforming the demining sector with the help of dogs and creating a corresponding national standard. As part of this initiative, 8 female dog handlers and 16 mine detection dogs have already been trained and will work in the fields of the Kharkiv region over the next 7 months.
The project participants are graduates of Sumy National Agrarian University with a specialization in "canine studies." They also underwent a three-month training in Cambodia, where they worked in the fields with their dogs. The dogs can operate at temperatures above 5°C, allowing them to be involved in demining even in late autumn or during a mild winter. In summer, they can withstand temperatures up to 35°C. Within this project, each dog handler works with two dogs in shifts: while one dog surveys the area, the other rests.
The project, supported by the governments of Spain, the Netherlands, and the European Union, was presented by the Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Ihor Bezkrovainyi.
"I have seen how effectively dog handlers work with mine detection dogs. It is many times faster than conventional sappers. Therefore, I am grateful to our partners for initiating this project. We are accumulating the best global practices, reflecting them in the national standard, and after working with the dogs in various field conditions, I am confident that our experience will become the basis for updating international standards," said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkrovainyi.
The use of teams with mine detection dogs will speed up the demining process in Ukraine: a fully trained service dog can survey an area of 1,500 square meters per day, while a human sapper can only cover 20-50 square meters per day. The dogs ignore scrap metal and detect only the scent of explosives, meaning that in fields with mines and tripwires, they find them faster than sappers with metal detectors.
"The use of specially trained service dogs enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of our demining missions. Their abilities allow us to conduct more comprehensive surveys of areas, accurately identifying dangers, which is crucial for communities to safely reclaim their lands," said MAG Executive Director John Cunliffe.
"The project, which involves mine detection dogs, not only contributes to demining efforts in Ukraine but also promotes gender equality principles by involving Ukrainian women as dog handlers. This initiative empowers women, fosters professional growth, and demonstrates a commitment to advancing gender equality in all areas, including mine action," noted the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Ukraine, Ricardo López-Aranda Haag.
The international mine action operator MAG and the nonprofit organization APOPO, which works with trained animals in demining, will deploy mine detection dog teams to clear 180 hectares in the Kharkiv region. Later, dog handlers with dogs will also work in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions.
"This project is an example of our dedicated efforts to enhance safety in regions that have seen conflict. By investing in efficient demining processes, we aim to restore safety, reclaim lands for humanitarian programs and development initiatives, which will ultimately contribute to Ukraine's recovery and development," emphasized the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine, Alle Dorhout.
Based on the project, international partners, with the involvement of specialists from the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Defense, and the State Emergency Service, are working on the first draft of the national demining standard involving dogs. Its adoption will allow for scaling up the training program and increasing the number of mine detection dog teams, thereby accelerating the demining process.
"The use of mine detection dogs, which have proven themselves well in other parts of the world, aligns with our commitment to developing national mine action standards tailored to Ukraine's unique conditions. This initiative not only accelerates our demining efforts but also sets a benchmark for future operations, ensuring more efficient and effective clearance of explosive remnants," said UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, Jaco Cilliers.
It is worth noting that the issue of humanitarian demining is coordinated by the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko. The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine ensures the interaction of central executive bodies on mine action in terms of humanitarian demining.
