Local residents help the National Guard in demining Kherson region

Mine clearance of the de-occupied territory of Kherson region has been going on for a year now, even under fire, but it will take a lot of time and effort.

This was stated by Serhiy Uzunov, commander of the Hadzhybey engineering platoon of the National Guard of Ukraine, at a briefing at the Ukraine-Odesa Media Center.

“After retreating, the enemy leaves behind death and danger – they mine everything from abandoned cars, houses, premises to children’s toys and even pets. The Russian occupiers are insidious, so now the National Guard, the State Emergency Service, the National Police and individual units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are working on demining in the Kherson sector. We are clearing residential buildings, roads and agricultural land. We have a lot of work to do,” said the commander of the engineer platoon.

Over the year, tens of thousands of munitions have been destroyed: mines, landmines and dangerous objects. All explosive items found are destroyed. Nothing dangerous remains after disposal.

“Ukrainians in the destroyed territories help a lot with demining. At first, people were tired of the occupation – the enemy robbed them, looted them, took away everything valuable, and tortured them. They don’t want the occupiers to return, so they always help the Ukrainian military and join our efforts when we come to demine,” said Sergiy Uzunov.

Since the liberation of the right bank of the Kherson region, Russian occupants have not stopped shelling Ukrainian territory. The deminers also come under enemy fire.

“Recently, we had an incident when we were clearing mines near a settlement, first an occupier’s reconnaissance drone arrived, and then we were covered by artillery and mortar fire. We are all volunteers, we all know what we are doing,” summarized Renar, commander of the engineering and demining unit of the Khadzhibey unit of the National Guard.

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