The modern equipment will allow polluted areas to be comprehensively assessed and contribute to effective environmental restoration
UNDP and Sweden equip war-torn communities with advanced tools for analysing damaged soil
January 31, 2025

Kyiv, 31 January 2025 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in cooperation with the Government of Sweden, has transferred advanced mobile environmental soil monitoring equipment to the Centre of Excellence for Mine Action and Environmental Safety. The equipment will be used for field surveys on explosive and toxic contamination in agricultural, urban, and natural landscapes, the real-time identification of hazardous chemical compounds, and preliminary determinations of the nature of contaminations, while also providing support to mine clearance teams in complex landscapes.
The total cost of the transferred equipment is US$185,120. It includes a portable mass spectrometry system for the chemical detection of gas/vapour, liquids, solids, and aerosols, with capabilities for the identification of chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, fentanyls/opioids, explosives, and precursors, as well as a portable analyser for the identification of hazardous substances, including toxic industrial substances, explosives, hazardous chemicals, and chemical warfare agents. The equipment enables the accurate assessment of contaminations in agricultural areas and assists demining teams in difficult locations.
This equipment stands out for its high mobility, reagent-free operation, and extended service cycle. In the spring of 2025, it will be an essential tool for field research in Mykolaiv Oblast and can also be used in other war-affected areas.
Oleh Riabchuk, Head of the Centre of Excellence for Mine Action and Environmental Safety, emphasized the importance of innovative solutions for improving the efficiency of their activities. “Receiving this equipment is a major milestone for improving the productivity and efficiency of our centre. These high-tech devices will allow for the accurate and timely analysis of technically contaminated soils, detecting the exceedance of permissible levels of heavy metals, traces of explosives, and their decomposition products, even at very low concentrations,” he said.
Martin Åberg, Ambassador of Sweden to Ukraine, stressed the importance of international cooperation in restoring the war-affected areas. “Supporting Ukraine is a priority for Sweden. This initiative highlights the significance of our partnership and the application of modern, innovative solutions to address pressing environmental challenges. By working together, we are helping to pave the way for sustainable recovery and resilience in communities affected by the war,” he said.
Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, highlighted the impact of advanced technologies for addressing environmental challenges. “By enabling the precise and efficient analysis of contaminated soil, this equipment not only supports immediate recovery efforts but also lays the groundwork for long-term environmental restoration. Through our partnership with the governments of Sweden and Ukraine, we are empowering communities to foster a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future,” he said.
Background
The war has brought about environmental devastation and a wide range of pollution issues, some of which will last for generations to come. In particular, Ukraine is now the most mined country in the world with almost one quarter of its territory – an area four times the size of Switzerland – contaminated with mines. The extensive presence of explosive remnants of war has a significant impact on people and their livelihoods.
Compounded by climate change, industrial pollution, and pesticide contamination, these factors have led to substantial environmental degradation in urban and rural areas, polluting air, water, and soil. The resulting damage threatens food security, public health, biodiversity, and the economy, with consequences extending beyond Ukraine’s borders.
This initiative, implemented by UNDP in Ukraine with financial support from the Government of Sweden, aims to address these pressing environmental challenges while supporting the recovery and resilience of war-affected communities.
Media enquiries:
Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org