Ukraine: Making war-affected territories safe again

In Kharkiv Oblast, DRC teams have faced immense challenges, particularly in the villages of Tsyrkuny and Vilkhivka, where control was regained by the Ukrainian government in the spring of 2022. These areas, once close to the front line, have been key targets for non-technical surveys (NTS) and demining operations, despite ongoing air raid warnings and shelling.

"During one of the longest air raids in Kharkiv, our NTS team had to work carefully under dangerous conditions," shares Vitalii, DRC’s Non-Technical Survey Team Leader. "The alert started at 8:47 AM on July 20th and wasn’t lifted until 11:04 PM the next day — lasting over 36 hours. Safety is always our top priority, and when we receive multiple alerts during fieldwork, we immediately seek the nearest shelter."

While Kharkiv presents formidable challenges, Mykolaiv Oblast has its own difficulties. Like in Kharkiv, DRC teams in Mykolaiv focus on clearance and detailed non-technical surveys in areas such as Inhulka and Snihurivka, where both manual mine clearance and battle area clearance are critical.

"The weather plays a significant role in our work schedule. High temperatures and humidity in the summer force us to start early in the morning to avoid the heat," explains Bekim, DRC’s HMA Technical Field Manager. "This adaptability is crucial for ensuring safe and thorough clearance operations."

Unseen threats: The importance of non-technical surveys

Areas that may appear safe at first glance often require extensive surveys to confirm their security. A comprehensive non-technical survey (NTS) is essential in this process, helping to identify any hidden dangers, such as mines or other explosive devices. This stage is crucial not only for preserving resources but also for protecting the lives of those who will later carry out demining operations.

NTS teams use various methods to assess the risks in an area, prioritising the most dangerous zones for further action. Despite the tough conditions and ongoing security risks, DRC’s teams in both Kharkiv and Mykolaiv have made significant progress. Their efforts have led to the discovery of various types of explosive ordnance, including cluster munitions and anti-tank mines, each posing a unique danger.

“In one instance, while gathering information about a potentially hazardous area, we were informed about cluster munitions in a local resident’s yard. We marked the area and contacted the State Emergency Service of Ukraine to handle it,” recalls Vitalii.

Civilians continue to suffer the consequences of unexploded ordnance across Ukraine, and tragic incidents are, unfortunately, not uncommon. In July, for example, four people, including a child, were killed by landmines in Tsyrkuny, Kharkiv Oblast. Similarly, in Shevchenkovo village in Mykolaiv Oblast, a man was injured by EO during fieldwork and had to be hospitalised.

Leaving no hazard behind

As DRC’s Mine Action teams press on, their goal remains clear: to make Ukraine’s land safe once more. Whether working in Kharkiv or Mykolaiv, the commitment of deminers and surveyors is unwavering. Their work is not only essential for immediate safety but also for the long-term recovery of these communities. Yet, the task is painstaking, with deminers often working on their hands and knees, inch by inch, in blue Kevlar vests, meticulously searching the ground for hidden explosives.

"The tools and methods we use depend on the specific threat we are facing," explains Bekim. "For example, during battle area clearance (BAC), deminers often find cluster munitions concealed under vegetation, making them nearly invisible. We use SC-100 Iron Locators for BAC, but sometimes they can miss parts of these munitions. That’s why we also deploy Minelab detectors."

After an initial sweep with Minelab detectors, a second pass is conducted with large-loop metal detectors to ensure that no threat has been overlooked. In Inhulka village, where DRC teams are working on a minefield, a one-person, one-lane approach is used. Each deminer follows a designated path, maintaining a safe distance of 50 metres between one another. All vegetation is cleared before the ground is examined with a tripwire filler and metal detectors.

Thanks to the support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, DRC teams have cleared 158,326 square metres of hazardous land, safely removing 20 explosive ordnances and handing them over to the State Emergency Services of Ukraine for disposal. Additionally, over 200 non-technical survey visits have been conducted across villages in Ukraine’s East and South, identifying 33 hazardous areas covering a total of 6.9 square kilometres.

Once these lands are cleared, they will be submitted to the Mine Action Centre for external quality control inspections, paving the way for their eventual release back to the communities that depend on them.