Cherkasy, 29 May 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine has handed over 16 hi-tech uncrewed underwater systems (UUS) to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) and conducted an 8-day training course for SESU specialists on their use. This support was made possible with funding from the governments of the Republic of Korea, France, and New Zealand.

The compact, remotely operated underwater drones can dive to depths of up to 300 meters and are equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and imaging systems. These tools will enhance the safety and efficiency of SESU’s underwater deminers, enabling the detection and identification of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in low-visibility or murky conditions.

Thirty-one SESU demining divers have already completed the UNDP-led training on the use of these drones. They will soon begin deploying them across Ukraine to help clear water bodies contaminated with explosive ordnance.

The handover is part of UNDP’s broader initiative to strengthen Ukraine’s underwater demining capacity. In addition to providing equipment, the initiative supports specialized training and the development of national standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure safe and unified practices across agencies. 

This support comes at a critical time, as approximately 13,500 square kilometres of Ukraine’s aquatic territory may be contaminated with explosive remnants of war, according to the SESU.

Deputy Economy Minister of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi emphasized the strategic importance of this effort. “This is another crucial step toward ensuring that Ukraine’s humanitarian mine action efforts effectively address real needs on the ground,” Bezkaravainyi said. “We are deeply grateful to UNDP and the governments of Korea, France, and New Zealand for their partnership in advancing innovative approaches to mine action.”

New Zealand’s Ambassador-designate to Ukraine Paul Ballantyne, emphasized New Zealand’s commitment to helping Ukraine address the long-term consequences of war.  “By supporting underwater demining in partnership with UNDP, the New Zealand Government aims to help communities rebuild with greater confidence and security,” Ballantyne said.

Frédéric Rousseau, Humanitarian Affairs Attaché at the Embassy of France in Ukraine, reaffirmed the French Government’s strong commitment to supporting Ukraine’s mine action and recovery efforts. "France has long supported efforts to enhance Ukraine’s national demining capacity, and we are proud to contribute to this initiative," said Rousseau. "Today’s handover is a tangible demonstration of our continued commitment to the safety of the Ukrainian people."

Representative of the Embassy of Republic of Korea in Ukraine emphasized Korea’s commitment to supporting humanitarian demining in Ukraine. "Through UNDP, we have previously supported efforts to clear explosive ordnance on land. However, we recognize that significant risks also lie beneath Ukraine’s water bodies — and new approaches are urgently needed," the representative said. "We are proud to help equip SESU divers with the technology they need to stay safe and effective."

Oleksii Mihrin, Deputy Head of SESU noted the operational impact of this support. “Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, SESU has had to triple the number of certified demining divers — from around one hundred to three hundred,” he said. “The equipment and training provided today are critical for ensuring their safety and effectiveness in the field.”

Maria Gutsman, Team Leader for the Inclusive Development, Recovery and Peacebuilding portfolio at UNDP in Ukraine, highlighted UNDP’s long-term, strategic approach to humanitarian mine action in Ukraine: “Traditional methods are no longer sufficient – innovation is now a necessity to protect human life,” Gutsman said. “From introducing technical survey dogs to piloting AI-driven technologies, UNDP continues to bring cutting-edge solutions to Ukraine’s humanitarian mine action sector. Today’s milestone marks the next step in expanding high-tech underwater demining.”

Background: 

UNDP is leading a five-year Mine Action Project to address widespread explosive ordnance contamination in Ukraine. The programme supports coordination, strategy development, and technical assistance, including the provision of modern equipment and advancing the use of innovative technologies such as satellite imagery, uncrewed aerial vehicles, remote sensing, as well as the incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In 2024 alone, nearly 4 million square meters of land were surveyed and released for productive use through UNDP-led efforts.

This project is funded by the governments of Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org