“Mind the Mines”: Ukraine intensifies mine safety awareness efforts

Amid ongoing efforts to educate the public on mine safety, Ukraine took a significant step in June with the launch of the “Mind the Mines” campaign. This initiative is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of mines and other explosive hazards, aiming to reduce the number of related accidents across the country. Early results indicate the campaign has already reached over 25 million people.

These developments were highlighted during a recent briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“The campaign features four key videos, each emphasizing the core message: ‘Stop. Do not touch. Leave the way you came. Call 101!'” explained Oleksandr Khorunzhiy, the Press Officer for the State Emergency Service. “The goal is clear—we want to make sure the public understands the potential risks they face in everyday locations like forests, roadsides, and fields. It’s crucial that they know how to respond if they encounter suspicious objects and are reminded of essential safety protocols.”

In addition to social media advertising and informational displays on billboards and city lights, socially responsible businesses have also joined the initiative, sharing vital mine safety information on their platforms.

As part of the campaign, the educational series “Mine Safety” is now accessible to Ukrainians on the Diia.Education platform. This series aims to equip viewers with the knowledge needed to identify threats and recognize explosive devices. Ivan Shepeliev, a specialist from the SES mine action unit, offers commentary and practical advice throughout the series.

Ruslana Korenchuk, manager of joint projects of the East Europe Foundation and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, project manager of Diia.Education announced that mine safety simulators will soon be added to the platform.

“The series consists of nine episodes, presented in a narrative format. After watching, users can take a test and receive a certificate confirming they’ve completed the series and understand its key principles. Shifting our mindset on this issue is challenging because we’re naturally curious and want to explore. However, through educational series and simulations, we can alter this behavior pattern by showing clear examples of what not to do—like simply stopping, stepping back, and dialing 101,” Korenchuk explained. 

The “Mine Safety” series can be accessed here: https://osvita.diia.gov.ua/en/courses/mine-safety 

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news