The Film 'Silent Land' on Demining Ukraine Released Online

The documentary short film titled 'Silent Land', which focuses on the critical issue of humanitarian demining in Ukraine, has recently been released into the online space and is now available for viewing on popular streaming platforms as well as on YouTube. This announcement was made by the press service of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The film tells the stories of individuals who risk their lives daily to restore safety to Ukrainian land. According to representatives of UNDP, these heroes are true defenders working on the front lines of the fight against the dangers posed by mines and unexploded ordnance left behind after military actions.

It is important to note that Ukraine is currently one of the most mined countries in the world. Experts estimate that approximately 22% of the country's territory, amounting to about 132,076 square kilometers, may be potentially contaminated with mines and requires detailed examination. This issue is extremely pressing, as the safety of people and the restoration of infrastructure depend on successful demining efforts.

The film 'Silent Land' was created at the initiative of the UNDP in Ukraine. The project was implemented with financial support from the government of the Republic of Korea in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, as well as the State Emergency Service.

The directors of the film are Viktor Solodukha and Emil Bakhtiev, who work with BAZA Production. The film features real heroes engaged in demining activities on a daily basis. Among them are Pavlo Bondarenko, the head of the mechanized demining department of the State Emergency Service in Mykolaiv region, Natalia Horun, a non-technical survey specialist from Norwegian People’s Aid, and Alexander Bonchkovsky, a PhD in Geography and the chief scientific consultant of the Society of Researchers of Ukraine.

'Silent Land' has already gained recognition on the international stage, having been presented at several film festivals in Ukraine and abroad. Notably, the film made it to the shortlist of the Tokyo Short Film Festival 2025, which takes place in Japan, and was recommended for viewing. This reflects the high artistic level of the film and its importance in raising awareness about the demining issue.

In Ukraine, the film was presented in the non-competitive program of the 54th International Film Festival 'Molodist', which took place in Kyiv. Additionally, a separate screening of the film occurred in Mykolaiv, where a significant portion of the filming took place. This screening provided an opportunity for local residents to learn more about the demining issue and to support those who work daily to restore safety to Ukrainian lands.