In Ukraine, approximately 128 thousand square kilometers of territory are currently considered potentially contaminated with mines and other explosive objects. According to experts, between 20 to 30% of this area requires immediate demining.
This is reported by Finway
Demining timelines and modern technologies
The head of the Humanitarian Demining Center, Volodymyr Baida, reported that clearing the territories by at least 80% may take up to 10 years. However, thanks to the implementation of modern technologies and mechanized demining methods, these timelines have a good chance of being shortened. There are already 135 certified demining operators working in the country, among which 8 are international organizations. The industry is showing active development and increasing its capabilities.
Baida specifically noted that a special state program for humanitarian demining has been launched for the agricultural sector. Sufficient funds have already been reserved for its financing, allowing farmers to quickly obtain mine-cleared plots for further use without incurring expenses from their own budgets.
“Therefore, I advise to reach out, as this is currently the only official procedure that will help farmers obtain completely clean land for further work quite quickly, without spending a single penny of their own funds,” emphasized Baida.
The future of some lands and international experience
At the same time, according to the expert, certain areas of land in Ukraine may remain unsuitable for use for many years. A similar situation is observed in other countries, where after major wars, some plots have not been cleared. For example, in France, there are reserves located on former minefields where demining has been deemed impractical.
Baida emphasized that the economic feasibility of demining certain territories will also be taken into account. Some lands may be preserved as a kind of monument to modern tragedy and the consequences of war.
Furthermore, the government has expanded the existing compensation program for the costs of humanitarian demining to include the State Land Bank. As a result, 7 thousand hectares of state agricultural land are already being prepared for safe circulation.