Themes by tag: demining
HALO Ukraine deminers are currently working in the deoccupied territories of Kyiv and Chernihiv regions.
By prior arrangement, journalists can cover their work and learn about the challenges these specialists face. And, if possible, talk to people who changed their professions and went into demining with the start of the full-scale invasion.
For reference: HALO Ukraine is the Ukrainian program of The HALO Trust, the world’s largest non-governmental non-profit organization for humanitarian demining. The HALO Trust has been clearing mines and explosive ordnance in 30 countries around the world for the past 38 years.
HALO Ukraine has been operating in eastern Ukraine since 2016. Its goal is to save lives, return land to communities, and move the country forward on the path to recovery. After russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the team expanded its activities and is now clearing land in six regions: Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Kherson. The Ukrainian team employs nearly 1,400 people, 30% of whom are women.
April 4 is International Mine Awareness Day.
As a reminder, on April 2, 2022, the Kyiv region was liberated from the occupiers. Also in April 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the Chernihiv region from russian invaders.
In the fall of 2025, the first intake for the veterans’ course “Sapper in humanitarian demining” took place. The initiative aims to provide veterans with the opportunity to master a new, in-demand profession in the field of humanitarian demining, support their social reintegration, employment, and involvement in Ukraine’s recovery.
The training takes place in Kyiv. As part of the course, participants acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills in humanitarian demining, including mine safety basics, identification of explosive ordnance, land survey procedures, work with specialized equipment, and compliance with international safety standards. A significant portion of the program is dedicated to practical exercises in controlled conditions.
Twenty veterans successfully completed the first course. Enrollment for the second course is now open, with the start scheduled for mid-March.
By prior arrangement, journalists may cover the training in Kyiv.
Background: The initiator and organizer of the training is the charitable organization “Unconquered Foundation,” founded by veteran Ihor Bezkaravainyi and psychologist Olena Vyshnevetska. The foundation operates in three areas: professional retraining of veterans, psychological support, and recovery through adaptive sports.
The humanitarian demining training is implemented with financial support from the Republic of Slovenia.
HALO Ukraine invites the public to the opening of the photo exhibition “Women in Demining.” The event will begin on February 20 at one of the metro stations in Kyiv.
Twenty-nine photographs portray women in demining roles — a deminer, a diver-sapper, a drone operator. Each image tells a unique story. Twenty-two-year-old Diana Obzhelian studied Chinese at a Kyiv university and planned to become a translator. However, the full-scale invasion changed her plans: she switched to distance learning and joined HALO Ukraine as a deminer. Twenty-five-year-old Tetiana Mordach is the first and only female diver-sapper in Ukraine. Before the full-scale war, she worked as a rescue diver, and after the invasion began, she became a diver-sapper with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
The women featured in the exhibition will share their experiences, speak about their journeys, difficult decisions, fears, and motivations, as well as what gives them the strength to go to work every day.
At the opening, welcome remarks will be delivered by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc; HALO Ukraine Operations Manager Misha Iltsisin; and representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, and the Kyiv Metro.
Throughout the day, the HALO Ukraine team will also introduce visitors to the basic rules of mine safety. The training will take place in an interactive format.
Journalists are required to register for the event by 09:00 on February 20, 2026.
For reference: The project is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada and the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine. Other partners include Demine Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, MAG, FSD, UDA, NPA, and UNOPS.
HALO Ukraine is the Ukrainian program of The HALO Trust, the world’s largest international humanitarian mine clearance organization. The HALO Trust has been clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance in 30 countries over the past 38 years.
HALO Ukraine has been operating in eastern Ukraine since 2016. Its mission is to save lives, return land to communities, and help move the country forward on its path to recovery. Following the full-scale invasion by russia in February 2022, the team expanded its activities and now clears land in six regions — Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Kherson. Nearly 1,400 people work in the Ukrainian team, 30% of whom are women specialists.
On January 14, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, working closely with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine and the national mine action platform Demine Ukraine, will launch a countrywide public information campaign to highlight humanitarian demining as a key national priority.
The campaign opens with the debut of an interactive installation titled “The Earth – a Carrier of Memory,” featuring audiovisual narratives that symbolize the safe return of cleared lands to communities. The installation will be unveiled at the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater, renowned for its production of “The Land,” adapted from Olha Kobylianska’s novel and directed by David Petrosyan.
Invited speakers at the launch event include:
– Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative to Ukraine.
– Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine;
– Yevhen Nyshchuk, General Director and Artistic Director of the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater.
Journalists wishing to attend must complete accreditation by 4 p.m. on January 13, and should bring a passport or national ID along with an editorial certificate from their outlet.
For reference: The initiative is carried out by the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, with financial backing from the Ukraine Community Recovery Fund. More details on the effort are available on the UNDP website.
41-year-old Oleh Semennikov is a Robocut operator for HALO Ukraine and a member of its Gender Working Group. He was born and lives in Kharkiv. He first learned about HALO from a billboard in the metro. Intrigued by the organization’s mission, he joined the team as a deminer in June 2024.
In August of that year, Oleh completed paramedic courses and continued working as a deminer-paramedic. In December, he became a certified Robocut operator and began working with the mechanical demining team.
“The gratitude of the residents near our work sites is very motivating. You realize it’s not abstract—it’s a tangible benefit to the community,” Oleh shared.
Oleh joined the Gender Working Group after attending training sessions conducted by the Divchata NGO.
“I was surprised by how many gender stereotypes still exist in society and in the demining sector. I want to share knowledge about equality and promote tolerance towards everyone,” Oleh notes.
Oleh Semennikov is available for interviews in the Kharkiv oblast, by prior arrangement.
Background: The HALO Trust is the world’s largest non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian demining organization.
The Robocut T800 is a mechanized platform that speeds up the demining of Ukrainian land. Its task is to clear vegetation, level the ground, and prepare the area for manual demining. The Robocut can operate on difficult terrain and in various weather conditions. Most importantly, it reduces risk to people.
Before the full-scale invasion, Ihor Yefimenko’s Kharkiv-based company was engaged in vehicle repair. However, after February 24, 2022, his team pivoted and began producing Level 5 body armor for the military. After a relative lost toes due to an explosion caused by a landmine, Yefimenko realized that his team needed to develop protective gear for sappers and explosive ordnance disposal technicians.
They used a Canadian model as a base, adapted it to the needs of Ukrainian soldiers and rescuers, and began production. In 2025, the manufacturers obtained a patent for a system that protects legs from anti-personnel blast mines. The product now holds all NATO standard certifications and has intellectual property protection. Yefimenko assures that the Canadian prototype was further refined and that the Kharkiv version differs in design elements and materials.
Each boot weighs four kilograms, and the team uses 3D printers to manufacture the components. Yefimenko explains that the boots are not a panacea; they cannot prevent injury entirely, but they help users avoid traumatic amputation.
Ihor Yefimenko is available for interviews online or in person in Kharkiv, by prior arrangement.
One of the Danish Refugee Council’s (DRC) key missions in Ukraine is conducting civilian humanitarian operations of non-technical surveys and clearing explosive ordnance. The organization also trains State Emergency Service of Ukraine specialists and educates civilians on how to identify dangerous devices.
On September 4, 2025, a DRC team came under rocket fire while conducting purely civilian humanitarian activities – working to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war to protect communities and enable safe access to essential infrastructure, farmland, and homes. The attack killed two deminers and left eight others injured.
The Danish Refugee Council has reaffirmed its commitment to its mission. Despite the risks and challenges, our demining teams undertake this vital work to prevent further loss of life from landmines and unexploded ordnance.
The DRC team is available for conversations online and in person by appointment.
Diana Obzhelyan, 21, studied the Chinese language at Kyiv University and planned to become a translator. However, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine upended her path. She switched to part-time studies and became a deminer with HALO Ukraine.
Diana spent a year demining the northern Ukraine and now teaches people how to stay safe from mines and other explosive hazards.
Journalists can arrange to speak with Diana, who works in various regions of Ukraine.
Background: HALO Ukraine is the Ukrainian program of The HALO Trust, the world’s largest non-governmental, non-profit humanitarian demining organization. For the past 37 years, The HALO Trust has been clearing mines and explosive ordnance in 30 countries worldwide.
On August 26, HALO Ukraine will host the opening of the Women in Demining photo exhibition staged in Kyiv.
The project highlights Ukrainian women working across different roles in mine clearance, underscoring the importance of bringing women into fields traditionally dominated by men while offering a closer look at their career paths.
The opening ceremony will feature the women portrayed in the exhibition.
Among them is 25-year-old Tetiana Mordach, Ukraine’s first and only female diver trained in explosive ordnance disposal. Before the full-scale war, she worked as a rescue diver. When russia launched its invasion, she joined the State Emergency Service as a diver. Her work involves one of the most difficult and dangerous tasks: clearing mines and locating and neutralizing explosives. Mordach dreams of one day exploring the seabed of Crimea’s Black Sea after Ukraine’s victory.
Diana Obzhelian, 21, studied Chinese at Kyiv University and planned to become a translator. The war upended her path: she switched to part-time studies and became a deminer with HALO Ukraine. After spending a year clearing mines in the north, she now trains communities on how to stay safe from landmines and other explosive devices.
Valeriia Osyka, 23, works as a deminer in the Kharkiv region. Not long ago, her daily routine was very different, when she served as a fire and industrial safety engineer at a university in Kharkiv. Today, she says her favorite moments come when she sees nature reclaiming once-dangerous fields: “When wheat grows green again on cleared land.”
Journalists can review the full program and must register for accreditation by 2 p.m. on August 25.
Global Affairs Canada and Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture support the project. Partners include Demine Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, the National Police of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Deminers Association, MAG, FSD, UDA, NPA, and UNOPS.
HALO Ukraine is part of The HALO Trust, the world’s largest non-governmental, nonprofit humanitarian mine clearance organization. For 37 years, The HALO Trust has been clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance across 30 countries.
Kyiv has strengthened its defenses against war remnants by establishing a pyrotechnic unit for underwater and humanitarian demining. This unit operates under the Emergency Rescue Squad of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv.
The unit has already undergone appropriate training and is fully equipped, particularly the diving team.
To improve their skills, rescue sappers practice different response scenarios daily. One of these training sessions involved recovering a training hand grenade from the Dnipro River.
