Kyiv, 5 December 2025 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with funding from the Government of Japan, has completed a Training of Trainers course for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) on the use and maintenance of high-tech protective suits for sappers.

Ten SESU sappers and instructors participated in the four-day intensive course, gaining expertise in the operation and maintenance of top-tier protective equipment. These newly trained specialists will now pass their knowledge to demining teams across Ukraine, strengthening safety protocols nationwide.

The training follows UNDP’s recent delivery of15 blast-resistant suits to the SESU, funded by Japan. The equipment will be deployed to eight regions of Ukraine where sappers face daily risk from explosive ordnance. Each suit weighs just over 30 kilograms – remarkably light given its comprehensive protection against blast waves, shrapnel, high temperatures, fire, and impact. 

UNDP Resident Representative Auke Lootsma reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting SESU. “The State Emergency Service of Ukraine is one of UNDP’s key strategic national partners in mine action and emergency response in Ukraine,” Lootsma said. “Every day, SESU personnel work in some of the most dangerous conditions to make Ukraine’s land safe again. UNDP is proud to help protect their health and safety as they carry out this critical mission.”

Roman Prymush, the deputy head of the SESU, emphasized that humanitarian demining is one of the key areas of work for the rescuers, and underlined the importance of the equipment received: “The blast-resistant suits we have received help sappers avoid critical injuries in the event of an explosion,” Prymush said. “For SESU units engaged in neutralizing explosive ordnance and clearing contaminated territory, this is one of the most reliable means of protection, which both safeguards the lives of sappers and enables them to effectively carry out the work of restoring territory.”

Background:

UNDP is a development agency working to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and recovery in the face of unprecedented challenges. UNDP works with the Ukrainian government to support all aspects of humanitarian mine action. With support from the Government of Japan, UNDP is suppling critical equipment to SESU, conducting non-technical surveys to ensure safe recovery operations, and promoting innovation to accelerate mine action.

Earlier this year, UNDP and Japan also handed over a substantial set of spare parts to support the maintenance of the SESU’s mechanical demining machine fleet.

Media enquiries: 

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