Silent Threats: Unexploded Mines Endangering Future and Human Security in Ukraine
October 2024
Vitalii Rishko
Ukrainian authorities contend that nearly 6 million Ukrainians live in territories at risk of mine hazards (Nieczypor, 2023). Therefore, to truly liberate the land, Ukraine must invest significant effort in cleaning these areas, which involves many different processes: from training demining teams to acquiring or producing necessary equipment. Even mapping the potentially mine-contaminated areas is increasingly difficult because their placement did not always follow a consistent pattern. This makes the issue of mines significantly dangerous, and demining Ukraine, the most extensive minefield in the world, will require excellent coordination, a systematic approach, cooperation, and a well-planned long-term strategy.
Understanding the Mine Danger in Ukraine
To truly grasp the scale of the threat, Ukraine has already surpassed countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Cambodia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and many more in terms of the total number of estimated mines polluting its territory and posing a significant threat to human security (Román, 2024). Almost 30% of Ukraine’s territory has been significantly exposed to direct military actions and operations, while roughly 18% of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory is still under Russian occupation (HRW, 2023). Russian forces have used different types of mines in Ukraine, including anti-personnel, anti-vehicle, anti-tank mines, IEDs, etc. (Nieczypor, 2023).
There are also many known cases of Russian soldiers hiding mines inside residential buildings, household appliances, and toys or attaching them to dead bodies and even live animals (Ibid). Numerous forests, agricultural lands, and roads are also contaminated with mines. Alongside mines, unexploded missiles, drones, and artillery shells add further pressure on Ukraine and its civilians (Carrol, 2023). Because the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrates highly intensive warfare with warring parties using thousands of shells along an overstretched frontline, this is indeed a worrying threat. Reuters’ interactive source, which provides detailed maps, infographics, and information on mines used in Ukraine and their characteristics, could be valuable for anyone willing to dig deeper and realize the profound challenge of mines (Reuters, 2023).
Source: Vecteezy.com
As witnessed by the cases of areas where fierce fighting took place, around cities such as Kyiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kherson, the current tendency shows that even though Russian forces were pushed away, the presence of unexploded landmines makes the return to “normal life” quite uneasy and continues to claim the lives of Ukrainian civilians. Recent data demonstrate that since the onset of the invasion, there have been 656 mine-related accidents, resulting in the deaths of 296 civilians and injuries to 665 others (Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, 2024). Additionally, despite Ukraine’s relative success in organizing information campaigns to promote mine awareness and education, a recent UNICEF report indicates that 53% of Ukrainian teenagers continue engaging in risky behavior, despite being well-informed of the potential consequences (ReliefWeb, UNICEF, 2024).
Although Ukraine gained crucial experience in demining activities following Russia’s initial invasion of its territory in 2014 (Ling, 2024), this cannot compare with the challenges Ukraine faces now in 2024, primarily due to the vast areas polluted by mines and the ongoing scale of military operations. In 2014, Ukraine focused heavily on military demining, whereas its current needs encompass both military and humanitarian demining on a much larger scale. Military demining is essential to break through Russia’s defense lines on the frontlines and is not an easy task (15 to 20 km of minefields), as witnessed by the unsuccessful attempt of Ukraine’s counter-offensive operations in 2023 (Ibid). Humanitarian demining is multidimensional – it is urgently needed to protect civilians and ensure a fast and safe post-war reconstruction. Some reconstruction efforts are already taking place in secure areas, but the lack of significant potential for mine clearance impedes the process. Moreover, humanitarian demining is greatly hindered in villages and cities close to the frontline. Given the scarcity of resources, Ukraine cannot risk losing personnel or equipment.
Economic Impact and Future Risks of Mines
As stated above, mine contamination is a pressing challenge for Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction. In this respect, it is vital to stress that landmines already pose a serious threat to Ukraine’s economy, especially in the agricultural field. Due to the significant number of landmines planted by Russians to establish defense lines against Ukrainian forces and to purposefully destabilize Ukraine’s economy, farmers cannot continue their work effectively (Osmolovska, 2023). Specifically, Ukraine’s cultivated land area was approximately 28 million hectares before the full-scale invasion. However, due to hostilities in 2022 alone, it was reduced to 23.4 million hectares. According to the World Bank, the losses incurred by Ukrainian farmers who could not work their fields due to shelling and landmines are likely around $31.5 billion (Nieczypor, 2023).
The lack of resources and economic consequences faced by Ukrainian farmers as a result of Russia’s war drive some to resort to so-called “dark deminers” – non-certified deminers with sometimes improvised equipment to clear their agricultural lands (Osmolovska, 2023). Such a dire context should become an impetus for greater international community involvement in demining efforts. Not only is it imperative to rebuild Ukraine’s war-damaged economy, but it is also an urgent need to maintain global food security and preserve Ukraine’s position as a breadbasket for Europe and the world, providing food supplies to vulnerable countries in the Middle East, Africa, and other regions. Crucially, the international community should support Ukraine in demining efforts, as Ukraine’s context could provide further impetus for enhanced research on demining, stimulating innovations and technological advancements that could also be helpful for other countries.
It is equally essential for Ukraine to do the necessary work on its part – increasing the number of trained personnel, finding ways to produce demining equipment domestically, and investing in technology or startups that could ease the identification of risky areas contaminated by mines and other remnants. The problem of lacking necessary equipment is perhaps the most challenging. For example, in military demining, it was estimated that Ukraine has around 300 demining teams operating with only six demining vehicles (Nieczypor, 2023). Additionally, establishing a clear system and coordination for tackling the issue of mines and other remnants is vital to remove unnecessary competition between stakeholders and institutions and to avoid duplication of functions.
Addressing these needs inevitably leads one to contemplate the potential costs. Considering Ukraine’s context, the country clearly cannot do it by its own efforts; more engagement with international partners, especially those possessing the necessary technology or expertise in demining NGOs and financial donors, appears paramount. The World Bank estimated the total cost of identifying and clearing mines and other remnants in 2023 would be nearly $400 million (Osmolovska, 2023). The exact amount of financial resources necessary for an all-out mine clearance campaign cannot be stated for sure, and the Ukrainian government rightfully expects this sum to rise further.
International Efforts to Support Demining Operations in Ukraine
By April 2024, as revealed by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, international partners have provided $700 million in equivalent for demining projects in Ukraine from 2022 to 2027 (Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, 2024). Among the key donors are the United States, Switzerland, Norway, EU countries, Japan, the Netherlands, and Germany. Additionally, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, supported by the European Union and the governments of Denmark, Japan, and Sweden, has delivered essential demining and protective equipment to 202 demining units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), which is 80 per cent of all SESU capacities (UNDP, 2024). Apart from that, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with Fondation Suisse de Déminage (FSD), have launched a joint program to support smallholder farmers and rural families affected by the war.
The program aims to clear land of mines and explosive remnants, restore agricultural livelihoods, contribute to Ukraine’s economic recovery, and reduce the need for humanitarian assistance (FAO,WFP, 2023).The OSCE also takes part in bolstering Ukraine’s demining capacities, which it started even before Russia invaded Ukraine. Currently, the OSCE is running a demining project, which began in February 2023 and will run until May 2025, aiming to assist Ukraine’s authorities in building a humanitarian mine action system and empowering relevant stakeholders dealing with demining in Ukraine (OSCE, 2023). To raise awareness about the mine threat in Ukraine and attract more stakeholders, Croatia hosted the first International Donors’ Conference on Humanitarian Demining in Ukraine in October 2023, securing over €100 million for demining efforts. Switzerland is set to host the second conference in 2024 (Welsh et al, 2023).
Another critical partner for demining efforts in Ukraine is the HALO Trust, the British-American landmine clearance charity, which actively promotes creating a special coalition between public and private entities dedicated to mine clearing in Ukraine. HALO’s team of 900 personnel in Ukraine utilizes advanced technologies and equipment to remove munitions. HALO’s participation in demining is critical since it has vital expertise in working in more than 30 countries, including Mozambique and Cambodia, where it has successfully cleared land to ensure community safety and prosperity (ReliefWeb, HALO Trust, 2023a). The HALO Trust also cooperates with the American businessman and philanthropist Howard G.Buffet and his foundation, who have made significant investments in clearing landmines in Ukraine and helping Ukrainian farmers (ReliefWeb, HALO Trust, 2023b).
Drawing Comparisons of Remnants of War Issues in Ukraine and Azerbaijan
Conflicts around the globe offer critical perspectives and insights into the problem of landmines. Notably, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh reveal some similarities in mine contamination. Specifically, in both cases, landmines significantly threaten civilian populations, hinder agricultural activities, and impede economic recovery and development. Comprehensive demining operations are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and facilitate the return of displaced people.
Both Azerbaijan and Ukraine face extensive landmines in their respective territories, but while Azerbaijani authorities have initiated significant demining efforts that remain slow and costly, Ukraine’s challenge is further compounded by the ongoing conflict that continuously exacerbates the contamination. In Azerbaijan, Vugar Suleymanov, Chair of Azerbaijan’s National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), reported that 111,207 hectares of contaminated land had been cleared in the past three years since the November 2020 trilateral ceasefire between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia (Krikorian, 2023). Overall, demining efforts in Azerbaijan have so far uncovered 30,753 anti-personnel mines, 18,531 anti-tank mines, and 60,268 items of unexploded ordnance (lbid).
Azerbaijan’s mine problem mirrors the challenges Ukraine faces today, particularly regarding the return of Azerbaijani IDPs. Despite Azerbaijan gaining full control over Karabakh, reintegration will be difficult if the return of IDPs is not possible or is complicated. According to Azerbaijani government data, there are around 600,000 IDPs in Azerbaijan, mainly due to the war in Karabakh (Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, 2020). The situation in Azerbaijan, particularly regarding the landmines in the Karabakh region, offers important lessons for Ukraine as it seeks to regain control of territories affected by conflict. It demonstrates that even after regaining control of its territory, a country must invest substantial resources to clear landmines so that its population can safely return.
Both Azerbaijan and Ukraine struggle with inconsistent patterns of mine placement and lack of clear marking. While Azerbaijan has sought maps of formerly occupied territories from Armenia, Armenian officials initially denied having such maps before agreeing to exchange some for detained soldiers. Afterwards, Azerbaijan claimed the maps it received covered only 5% of the regained areas and were only 25% accurate (ReliefWeb, AOAV, 2023). At the same time, Armenia insisted it provided all maps in its possession and accused Azerbaijan of reneging on the deal by designating some Armenian soldiers as terrorists and saboteurs to avoid handing them over (lbid). The absence of reliable minefield maps places additional pressure on Azerbaijan, necessitating greater resources—a similar situation Ukraine faces today.
Azerbaijani officials report that 3,416 landmine victims have been registered in the country since 1991, and the number is likely to grow (Eruygur, 2023). Since the Second Karabakh War in 2020, only 7% of flagged contaminated territories have been cleared. President Ilham Aliyev noted that nearly $30 billion and almost 30 years are necessary to clear contaminated areas, though some estimates put the cost at $50-80 billion (Shiriyev, 2023).
Currently, Azerbaijan receives aid for mine clearance from countries such as the UK, the U.S., Canada, Israel, and Hungary (Eurasianet, 2023). In May 2024, the EU launched the Team Europe Initiative on Mine Action in Azerbaijan, and its support to Azerbaijan is expected to increase to around €13 million under this initiative. The goal of this initiative would be to continue to back capacity-building and institutional strengthening of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action, raise mine awareness among the population, and support victims of mines. Despite this aid, the amounts allocated remain insufficient to satisfy Azerbaijan’s needs. Ukraine’s demands are considerably higher and unmet, demonstrating how scarcity of financial resources can impede demining progress.
Fear of landmines, increasing civilian casualties, and lack of financial resources contribute to IDPs’ decisions not to return to the Karabakh region. Ukraine faces a similar issue, which could worsen as heavy fighting continues on its territory. The international community’s current focus on the mines issue in Ukraine could spur increased attention to the demining problem in Karabakh. However, further clearing and attracting international donors’ support will remain challenging, given the political sensitivities surrounding demining action.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to impact the daily lives of civilians and poses a severe risk to the country’s successful postwar reconstruction and economic recovery. The issue of mines and unexploded remnants not only threatens human security but also adds additional hardships to Ukraine’s war-damaged economy, especially significantly impacting Ukraine’s agricultural sector and farmers. This, in essence, is not only Ukraine’s national concern but a critical problem that endangers global food security. The longer the war continues, the more efforts will be necessary to address the issue of demining. Here, demining activities and the international approach should be similar to Ukraine’s reconstruction approach – the international community should start addressing the problem now, support and launch demining operations where the security situation allows, plan both short- and long-term responses, establish precise coordination mechanisms between interested stakeholders, and identify necessary sources of funding, which Ukraine certainly cannot do alone. As highlighted also by the example of Azerbaijan, obtaining necessary funding can be indeed complicated. Therefore, the faster Ukraine develops a coherent demining approach, the sooner it can communicate its needs and accumulate resources.
In addition, the international community and relevant stakeholders should engage more actively with the Ukrainian authorities to train, equip, and assist Ukrainian deminers with a particular emphasis on humanitarian demining. Special attention should be given to supporting and cultivating Ukrainian and international tech startups that could enhance the potential of demining operations in Ukraine and elsewhere. The role of AI, drones, and other technological tools should be carefully considered, as they could prove helpful in identifying and clearing mines and other remnants of war. Finally, the case of Ukraine should become a key focus for a community of states, international organizations, NGOs, and other private entities and donors to stimulate and reenergize international efforts and approaches to mine clearance worldwide.
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