Since the Beginning of the Full-Scale War, 40,700 km² of Land Has Been Returned to Use - Svyrydenko

On the International Day for Mine Awareness, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko disclosed crucial information about the demining process in areas impacted by the war. According to reports from Ukrinform, since the onset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has managed to return 40,700 km² of land to productive use. Among these territories, 15,100 hectares are agricultural lands that have been cleared through a state program known as 'Humanitarian Demining.'

Svyrydenko emphasized that Ukraine remains the most contaminated country in the world concerning explosive remnants of war. She stated that over 130,000 km² of land is potentially hazardous due to the presence of mines and other explosive remnants. The most heavily contaminated regions are in Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Donetsk oblasts, raising serious concerns regarding the safety of the population and the economic recovery in these areas.

“At the same time, we are converting this problem into experience: we are changing our approaches to demining, reducing costs, and involving Ukrainian robotic complexes,” noted the Prime Minister, highlighting the importance of innovation and adaptation in wartime conditions. She also announced plans to return nearly 10,000 hectares, primarily agricultural land, to use this year. This process will be organized under a new prioritization system called GRIT, which will allow for more efficient resource and effort management.

Svyrydenko drew attention to the development of the demining operator market, noting that their number has increased from 74 to 134. This growth has been made possible by involving the private sector in the demining process alongside the State Emergency Service (SES) and the State Specialized Enterprise (SSE). The increase in the number of operators allows for a faster demining process and greater safety for residents of affected areas.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister reported on the implementation of a compensation program for the costs of demining for individuals and self-employed farmers. Applications for compensation can be submitted through the State Agricultural Register, which provides support for those affected by the consequences of the war.

Svyrydenko also emphasized the continuation of the Soul of Soil campaign, aimed at promoting products from demined areas and supporting humanitarian demining efforts. This initiative not only aids in the recovery of agriculture but also raises public awareness about the importance of safety on lands contaminated due to hostilities.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all those working to clear Ukrainian land, stating, “This is about the safety of people and supporting the economy.” She underscored that the efforts being made for demining territories are critically important for restoring normal life in Ukraine.

According to information provided by Ukrinform, demining units of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense cleared 876 hectares of land during March, indicating active work in this direction. The clearance of land from explosive remnants is a vital step towards restoring safety and stability in Ukraine.