Mykolaiv Oblast, Ukraine, 12 September 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), along with the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and APOPO, hosted a field visit for Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SESU). The event showcased innovative demining approaches, specifically how Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs) working with manual demining teams can enhance existing land-release practices and speed up clearance efforts.

During the event, UNDP and its partners demonstrated how highly trained dogs, known as TSDs, can be effectively integrated into large-scale survey and clearance operations. These dogs are capable of detecting explosive hazards. The methodology combines the efficiency of dog detection with manual verification, ensuring both speed and accuracy in clearing contaminated territories.

Representatives from MAG highlighted the practical aspects of manual demining in the field, including its role in the overall management and monitoring of integrated clearance methods. APOPO demonstrated how they deploy specially trained Belgian Malinois dogs for explosive detection over large areas. Together, these contributions showcase an innovative approach that complements the manual and mechanical demining methods already used by SESU.

Benjamin Lark, UNDP Mine Action Programme Manager, said the use of TSDs will significantly accelerate the clearance of areas contaminated with explosive ordnance, reduce risks for personnel, and create new opportunities for Ukrainian citizens to return to their homes and farmland quickly and safely.

"By combining international expertise with Ukraine’s own strong demining capacity, we can make land release faster, safer and more efficient, helping communities rebuild their lives and livelihoods sooner," Lark said. 

As part of this knowledge-exchange initiative, demining specialists from UNDP, MAG, and APOPO have been conducting a series of visits to SESU's regional centres. The goal of these visits is to assess existing capacities and operational conditions in preparation for gradually adopting and integrating the TSD methodology into Ukraine's national mine action framework.

This collaboration demonstrates UNDP's commitment to strengthening Ukraine's mine action capabilities. By introducing innovative tools, conducting ongoing field visits, and exchanging best practices, the UNDP Mine Action Project and its international partners are helping SESU restore safety to affected communities and advance the country's recovery.

Media enquiries:

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