KYIV, 7 August 2024 – The recent second round of testing of mine-detection innovations organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine in May 2024 revealed promising advances in the methods used to detect landmines and explosive remnants of war, or ERW.

The tech-testing initiative, organized by the UNDP Mine Action Project in collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of the Economy, and with the support of Croatia, France, Malta, the Netherlands and Sweden, showcased a series of innovative uncrewed aerial systems and sensor combinations designed to improve humanitarian mine clearance detection capabilities. The testing builds on a round of testing already conducted by UNDP in Ukraine in July 2023. 

The participating organizations demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating electro-optical sensors with artificial intelligence and machine learning for surveys of suspected hazardous areas. The seven teams tested their systems on a 1.44-hectare area with 27 items of mines, cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance, placed both surface and sub-surface, mimicking as much as possible real-life mined areas in Ukraine. The teams achieved results as high as 78% for detecting items on the surface, around 70% for detecting metal and buried items, and 62% for detecting plastic items. 

Commenting on the tests, Deputy Ministry of Economy Ihor Bezkaravainyi stressed the urgent need for such innovative solutions, stating, “The use of advanced technologies in mine action is crucial for enhancing detection capabilities and ensuring the safety of our communities while restoring confidence in economic activities.”

UNDP Resident Representative Jaco Cilliers also emphasized the significance of the Phase II outcomes, noting, “The lessons learned from our recent trials will guide us in refining artificial intelligence algorithms and integrating remote sensing technologies, which are essential for improving the effectiveness of demining efforts in Ukraine.” 

The evaluation from Phase II testing not only provided critical insights tailored to the Ukrainian context but also resulted in a vast collection of georeferenced imagery and sensor data. By applying a systematic approach to assessing detection capabilities, the technologies tested demonstrated strong capabilities in detecting metal ERW objects. However, the complexities of the Ukrainian landmine and ERW contamination situation necessitate further exploration in further evaluations and testing.

Overall, the findings highlight substantial potential for incorporating advanced remote sensing technologies into existing humanitarian demining practices, significantly enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian mine action efforts in the country.

Ukraine is currently confronting a severe crisis due to widespread mine contamination, which poses grave threats to public safety and significantly hampers economic development. The remnants of war, consisting of landmines and ERW, are still a major concern – particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas. 

The trials underscored the critical importance of prioritizing innovation in the collective fight against landmines and ERW in Ukraine, laying the groundwork for safer communities and accelerating the nation’s economic recovery.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org.