Prince Harry Praises Ukrainian Deminers, New AI Tech in Bucha Visit

The Duke of Sussex tested drone and robotic systems designed to speed up mine clearance in war-affected areas on Friday during his surprise visit to Ukraine. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied This handout picture taken and released by The HALO Trust Ukraine on April 24, 2026 shows Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, testing the latest digital demining technologies and detection and clearance techniques including AI-powered survey drones and remote controlled disposal equipment, during a visit at the HALO Trust, the world’s largest humanitarian mine clearance organization near Bucha, Kyiv region. (Photo by Valentyn KUZAN / The HALO Trust Ukraine / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Prince Harry of the UK visited Ukraine on Friday, April 24, where he met with deminers from The HALO Trust and tested new technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI) designed to detect and remove explosives. According to HALO , during a visit near Bucha, Harry flew a drone capable of identifying and mapping explosive devices and operated a robot used to remove them. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “It’s amazing to see technology transform the work of HALO – making mine clearance smarter, faster and safer,” he said. He drew a comparison to his mother, Princess Diana, who famously highlighted the dangers of landmines during a visit to Angola in the 1990s. “Now they’re using drones, AI and robots for greater precision and protection. This isn’t just progress – it’s lifesaving,” Harry said. He added that demining efforts are essential for allowing farmers to safely return to their land and for displaced Ukrainians to eventually come home. He also visited a memorial in Bucha honoring civilians killed during Russia’s occupation of the town in early 2022. Large areas of Ukraine remain contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to The HALO Trust, Ukraine is one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. In 2022, authorities estimated that around 174,000 square kilometers (67,182 square miles) of territory could be contaminated. Other Topics of Interest Defense Head Hegseth Weighs Punishing NATO Allies, Including Possible Spain Suspension, Report Says Internal discussions reflect growing White House frustration with allies’ limited support during Trump’s war on Iran. Demining efforts have since made significant progress, with more than 29,000 square kilometers (11,200 square miles) confirmed as safe and over 60,000 explosive ordnance destroyed. Humanitarian organizations say new technologies – including drones, AI, and robotics – are becoming critical tools in speeding up clearance operations while reducing risks to personnel. Yuliia Zavadska is a news writer at Kyiv Post. She has experience in breaking news coverage, fact-checking, and digital journalism, with a focus on fast, accurate reporting and clear storytelling. Before joining Kyiv Post, she worked as a news feed editor for several leading Ukrainian media outlets.