Key facts
- UN appointed Russian diplomat Gleb Desyatnikov to oversee mine action.
- Ukraine has cleared over 300,000 explosive devices in Kherson Oblast.
- Desyatnikov has over 35 years of experience in international relations and security affairs.
Ukraine has criticized the United Nations' appointment of Russian diplomat Gleb Desyatnikov to a senior role overseeing mine action, as the country continues to clear hundreds of thousands of explosive devices left by Russia's war. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Desyatnikov's appointment as assistant secretary-general for mine action and police on Oct. 27. Desyatnikov has served as Russia's ambassador to Jordan since 2018. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called the decision 'deeply troubling' and undermining of trust in the UN. The appointment comes as Ukraine faces one of the world's largest demining challenges.