Technologies for demining: The Ministry of Defense is creating an “innovation hub”
18 February 2025 09:42
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is initiating the creation of an innovative platform that would unite the efforts of all stakeholders in the implementation of the latest technologies for demining the de-occupied territories of Ukraine. This was reported by the Defense Ministry, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs.
One of the tasks of such an “innovation hub” will be to assess modern technologies, compare global innovations, classify potential solutions in accordance with international and national mine action standards, and test the latest developments.
“This will allow us to form a “bank of technologies in the field of mine action” and prioritize them for implementation and scaling in the country,” said Oleh Shuvarskyi, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Mine Action, Civil Protection and Environmental Safety of the Ministry of Defense, during the session “Mine Action in Ukraine.”
He also reminded that the Ministry of Defense is considering the possibility of creating a modern test site for testing innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence, in demining.
How mine action is organized in Ukraine
The National Mine Action Authority was established to coordinate the activities of ministries, other central and local executive authorities, local governments, enterprises and organizations involved in mine action. It operates on a collegial basis and is chaired by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine.
The functions of the secretariat of the National Mine Action Authority are performed by the Main Directorate of Mine Action, Civil Protection and Environmental Safety. It provides organizational, informational and analytical support for the activities of the national authority.
The Main Directorate of Mine Action, Civil Protection and Environmental Safety is subordinated to the Center of Excellence for Mine Action and Environmental Safety, which studies and summarizes current experience on its base.
The Center of Excellence conducts preliminary tests of innovative projects that are recommended for certification in case of positive results, conducts laboratory tests of soil samples and summarizes data on the environmental situation at the MoD facilities. It carries out quality control measures to ensure that the tasks of clearing the area (facilities) of explosive ordnance are performed.
In accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Mine Action in Ukraine”, humanitarian demining in Ukraine is carried out jointly by government agencies, international organizations and mine action operators. The list of certified operators is updated online.
Interactive map of mined areas created in Ukraine
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, with the assistance of the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining, has developed an Interactive Map of the territories contaminated by mines and explosive ordnance.
The map documents areas where evidence of explosive contamination has been found. The information is constantly updated, but the process of identifying hazardous areas has not been completed due to the hostilities and the Russian occupation of part of Ukraine. Areas that are not shown on the map as contaminated require further survey.
