Kyiv, 17 July 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine has handed over six remotely operated demining machines and a comprehensive set of spare parts for them to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU). The equipment was procured with funding from the Governments of Croatia, France, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Ukraine is currently the most mine-contaminated country in the world, with about 23% of its territory requiring survey for explosive hazards. Massive contamination, particularly of agricultural land, has created an urgent need for effective mechanized demining solutions. In this context, the SESU plays a critical role in first response and humanitarian mine action. Since the full-scale invasion, the SESU has rapidly scaled up its capacity and now operates 94 demining machines – yet the need for continued international support remains substantial.

The newly delivered machines include two heavy-duty units capable of clearing up to 3,000 square metres per hour and four medium-class units with a capacity of up to 2,500 square metres per hour. Designed for remote operation from up to 1,500 metres away, the machines significantly reduce risks to personnel and will soon be deployed across three of Ukraine’s contaminated regions. The delivery also included a large stock of spare parts to ensure uninterrupted operations.

SESU Head Andrii Danyk emphasized the crucial role of international support in Ukraine’s mine action efforts. “Mechanized demining equipment is a key instrument for the fast and safe clearance of contaminated land. Thanks to this equipment, we reduce risks for sappers and significantly increase the pace of clearing Ukraine’s territory from explosive ordnance,” Danyk said. He thanked UNDP and the governments of the Netherlands, France, Croatia, and Sweden for recognizing this need and providing ongoing support. “Together, we save lives and bring Ukraine’s safe future closer,” he added.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine Christophoros Politis reaffirmed his organization's commitment to supporting mine action in Ukraine. "At UNDP, we work closely with the Government and national and international partners to advance mine action through comprehensive policy frameworks, strategic planning, institutional capacity building, and innovation — while also ensuring operational readiness through initiatives like today's handover," Politis said. "These machines represent critical investments, but sustainable progress depends on the skilled professionals who operate them and the institutions that support them. We're grateful to our partners for helping to build the long-term capabilities of Ukraine's national mine action system."

Martina Quick, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden to Ukraine, reaffirmed Sweden’s multifaceted support to Ukraine. “We recognize that demining is a vital step for Ukraine on its path toward a safe and prosperous future as part of the European family,” Quick said. “Sweden is committed to supporting this journey. We provide support to the humanitarian mine action through various channels, such as cooperation with UNDP, civil society, and through the cooperation of our expert agency with their Ukrainian counterparts. It’s a pleasure to see the tangible results of this collaboration, as we do today.” 

Robertus Dekker, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine, emphasized his country’s strong support for mine action in Ukraine. “The Netherlands is proud to be one of the key donors to Ukraine’s mine action efforts, with over EUR 54 million already committed — much of it through UNDP projects,” Dekker said. “We are inspired by Ukraine’s rapid technological progress and honoured to support its heroic deminers with advanced equipment.”

Ana Fabijančić, Diplomat at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia to Ukraine, reaffirmed Croatia’s solidarity and strategic commitment to Ukraine, saying, “Croatia stands with Ukraine not just as a donor, but as a country that understands the devastating impact of landmines. We have committed over EUR 13 million to mine action — from equipment and training to land restoration — and we are here to stay.”

Jean-Yves Siffointe, Civil Protection Technical Adviser at the Embassy of France in Ukraine, highlighted France’s long-standing commitment to Ukraine’s security. “France remains firmly committed to supporting Ukraine’s humanitarian demining efforts — on land and underwater — by providing advanced technological solutions that enhance both safety and efficiency,” Siffointe said. “We’re proud to mark another milestone in our strong partnership with the SESU, UNDP, and fellow international partners.”

Background:

UNDP is a development agency working to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and recovery in the face of unprecedented challenges. As part of its response, UNDP leads a range of initiatives to address the country’s widespread explosive ordnance contamination. Through its Mine Action Programme, UNDP supports coordination, strategy development, and technical assistance, including the provision of modern equipment and the adoption of innovative technologies such as satellite imagery, drones, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence. In 2024 alone, nearly 4 million square metres of land were surveyed and released for productive use under UNDP-led efforts.

Media enquiries: 

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