Kharkiv, Ukraine, 6 July 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine with funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea has handed over two heavy-duty transport vehicles to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) Main Department in Kharkiv Oblast to support the transportation and deployment of mechanical demining equipment. The handover was carried out as part of the global REVIVE initiative, implemented with funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The vehicles, tractors that provide power and mobility for demining tools, are part of a larger package that also includes two specialised low-bed semi-trailers designed to transport heavy mechanical demining equipment. The semi-trailers are expected to arrive shortly.

H.E. Park Kichang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s recovery and resilience. “Strengthening humanitarian mine action is a vital part of this effort, as it directly contributes to protecting civilians, restoring safe access to land, and enabling communities to rebuild,” Ambassador Park said. “We’re pleased that this equipment will help enhance Ukraine’s capacity to address the challenges posed by explosive hazards.”

Oleksandr Mokrenko, Head of the Special Purpose Emergency Rescue Unit of the SESU Main Department in Kharkiv Oblast, highlighted the importance of strengthening the unit’s operational capacity. “These prime movers are critically needed for our unit, as they significantly enhance our logistical capabilities and improve the efficiency of operations in the most challenging conditions,” Mokrenko said. “They will be used to transport specialised technical equipment, move oversized cargo and heavy machinery to worksites. In addition, they will enable the rapid delivery of heavy loads during emergency response operations and humanitarian demining activities.”

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion, Kharkiv Oblast has become one of the regions of Ukraine most heavily contaminated with explosive ordnance. The ability to rapidly deploy mechanical demining equipment is essential to clearing hazardous areas, reducing risks to personnel, and helping communities safely regain access to land and infrastructure.

Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative to Ukraine, emphasised the importance of strengthening the operational capacity of Ukraine's demining teams. “Humanitarian demining depends not only on having advanced equipment, but also on ensuring that these assets can reach contaminated areas quickly and safely,” Lootsma said. “This support will strengthen SESU’s operational capacity, reduce risks for demining teams, and help accelerate the clearance of land.”

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