Mine clearance essential for recovery and community rebuilding, Ukrainian official says

Clearing territories of landmines is a crucial prerequisite for their recovery, as it enables the return of populations, the development of education and healthcare, the attraction of investments, and the resumption of full community life, Head of the Ukrainian Deminers Association Tymur Pistriuha said during a panel discussion at the 4th International Mine Action Conference.

According to Report, he also emphasized the importance of setting correct priorities in mine clearance operations. According to Pistriuha, given the large-scale contamination of territories, success cannot be evaluated solely by the number of cleared land plots.

He stated that the Government of Ukraine has developed GRID, a data-driven prioritization system that integrates national data and artificial intelligence to identify territories where mine clearance can generate the highest social and economic impact.

"We need to move from mere mine clearance to delivering real impact and tangible results," he said.

Pistriuha added that mine clearance alone is insufficient. Explosive ordnance risk education must accompany the return of displaced people, as it is not only about disseminating information but also about changing behavior and ensuring safety.

He further underscored the necessity of comprehensive assistance for landmine victims and their full reintegration into society.