Key facts
- Ukraine is described as the most mine-contaminated country in the world.
- The scale of landmine contamination in Ukraine is compared to that seen in Vietnam.
- Drone-delivered munitions are increasing the area of contamination.
- The POM-3 mine, detonated by footstep vibrations, is a new threat.
- New technologies like the DMR-7, a remote-controlled vehicle using compressed air, are being tested for faster soil removal.
- AI-powered image analysis and ground-penetrating radar are among other new demining technologies being explored.
Ukraine is grappling with a landmine contamination problem on a scale not seen since the Vietnam War, posing a significant post-conflict challenge. The ongoing conflict, particularly the widespread use of drones by both Russian and Ukrainian forces, is expanding the contaminated areas, rendering vast tracts of land unusable and dangerous for civilians.
Humanitarian demining organizations like the Halo Trust and the UN Development Programme are working to clear these hazardous areas. However, the task is fraught with danger, not only from the mines themselves but also from ongoing drone and missile attacks, and the emergence of new, more sophisticated explosive devices like the POM-3 mine. These mines are designed to detonate from the vibrations of approaching footsteps, leading deminers to completely avoid certain villages.
Technological advancements are offering some hope. Innovations such as AI-powered image analysis for drone surveillance, ground-penetrating radar, and remote-controlled vehicles like the DMR-7 are being developed and tested. The DMR-7, a tank-like machine that uses compressed air jets to clear soil, can perform in minutes what used to take 45 minutes with a shovel, significantly improving safety and speed.
Despite these technological efforts, significant bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles persist within Ukraine. The country's mine action law has not been reformed to meet international standards, and attempts to streamline policymaking by consolidating oversight into a single cabinet-level office have been slow. Inter-agency power struggles and resistance from government bodies fearing a loss of responsibility are cited as major barriers.
Furthermore, deminers report that Ukrainian authorities sometimes broadly categorize land as contaminated, even if it was not occupied by Russian forces and therefore unlikely to contain explosives. This overly cautious approach risks wasting valuable time and resources. The Halo Trust alone spent nearly £50 million in Ukraine in the year to March 31, 2025, far exceeding the state's budget for mine clearance, highlighting the scale of the challenge and the reliance on international aid.