First mine action cluster meeting of 2025 held

Field classes are underway for participants in the second course on mine action, organized by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine together with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from Sweden. Let's remember that earlier this week, at the testing ground of the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), veterans worked with the Croatian MV-10 from DOK-ING and the light demining machine "Zmii" ("Serpent") from Rovertech. Prior to this, course participants got acquainted with Ukrainian demining and soil preparation machines from the Kharkiv Tractor Plant (MP5100 and MP3200) and saw how the Slovak Bozena clears territory. At the end of this week, field classes are planned involving demining machines operated by Global Clearance Solutions.

"During the second course for veterans, we decided to focus on working with demining machines, since this equipment allows speeding up territory clearance multiple times and makes the process safer for sappers. Government, international, and private operators already have over 150 such machines, and the number will only grow. Therefore, it is important for veterans to know the intricacies of mechanized demining, because this is the work they can do after additional training," said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

The second course on mine action for veterans with disabilities began on December 2 and will last two and a half weeks — until December 18, 2024. In addition to working with demining machines, the 12 participants will get acquainted with national mine action standards, land release in humanitarian demining, as well as the fundamental principles of mine action.

"The integration of veterans into the labor market is a critical step towards enhancing security in communities and empowering people in Ukraine. Our initiative has a transformational impact on veteran reintegration processes and reinforces our commitment to the main goals of the country's recovery, for which the implementation of mine action is a prerequisite," noted Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine.

For the second mine action course for veterans, the Ministry of Economy engaged the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Mine Action Centre, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and the State Special Transport Service. International and private mine action operators, demining equipment manufacturers, international partner organizations, and Ukrainian non-governmental organizations also participated.

"Such programs not only strengthen the capabilities of veterans but also make a significant contribution to the overall security of conflict-affected communities. The cooperation between the Government of Ukraine, UNDP, and international partners is essential to sustain progress in the field of mine action," emphasized the Ambassador of Sweden to Ukraine Martin Åberg regarding the importance of this initiative.

The first course on mine action for people affected by mines and other explosive ordnance took place in August 2024 with the support of UNDP and funding from the Government of the Netherlands. Its listeners were 10 veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Five of them began working as image analysts at The HALO Trust — the largest mine action operator in Ukraine.