Since the beginning of the full-scale war, 303 people have been killed by Russian explosive devices in Ukraine, including 15 children. This was reported by Serhiy Reva, Deputy Director of the Mine Action Department of the State Emergency Service (DSNS), during a briefing.
"We have, unfortunately, sad statistics. According to the National Mine Action Authority Secretariat, there are currently 703 casualties, 303 of whom have died, including 15 children," Reva said.
He noted that to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities from explosive devices, the DSNS conducts training sessions with the population and implements information campaigns to inform people about mine danger.
"We have already conducted over 42,000 activities, reaching approximately 1.5 million people. We have mobile safety classes, of which there are currently 15," he added.
Reva reminded that the ongoing mine safety campaign, "Notice the Change," aims to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from explosive devices.
He also reported that the most contaminated areas with explosive devices remain Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson regions, with Mykolaiv region being somewhat less affected.
"For example, regarding Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, I believe we have achieved the priorities we set. The priority was, of course, on populated areas, roads, and critical infrastructure. Now we can say that we have essentially completed this task and have moved on to general use lands, agricultural areas, and forested and park zones," he stated.
The Deputy Director of the DSNS Mine Action Department mentioned that in Mykolaiv region, rescuers are currently demining mostly agricultural lands or critical infrastructure, if needed.
According to Reva, this work is ongoing and will continue until the last explosive device is neutralized.
