Last year, in Ukraine, after conducting an examination for the presence of explosive objects, the status of a dangerous territory was canceled for a total area of 18,000 square kilometers. This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Economy Ihor Bezkaravainy, who is responsible for the coordination of humanitarian demining.
"174,000 square kilometers is an area that is potentially dangerous and beyond our control. This is an area where hostilities are ongoing or taking place. During the past year, we conducted a survey and removed the status of dangerous territory from 18,000 square kilometers," said Bezkaravainy.
He noted that after the end of the war, it is planned to survey a certain territory, including Crimea or the border with the Russian Federation, within 10 years. Most of this area (80%) should be returned to productive use, but it is likely that the remaining 20% will remain contaminated with explosives.
"Most likely, 20% will remain contaminated, and this part will have to be demined for a very long time and carefully. Every square meter, every square centimeter will need to be sifted through a sieve and examined with a probe," explained the deputy minister.
Bezkaravainy also noted that the new National Mine Action Strategy, presented by the Ministry of Economy in December, aims to reduce the impact of explosive objects on people and economic activity.
"Our goal is not to find and remove all mines from the ground. We strive to reduce the impact of these mines on people's lives and the economy. Within 10 years, we plan to return to productive use 80% of the territories that are currently considered potentially dangerous," he added.
The deputy minister also reported that the Ministry of Economy is developing a compensation program for farmers who independently financed surveying and demining of their lands. 3 billion hryvnias are provided for this direction in the state budget for 2024.
