Kyiv, 11 July 2023 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Japan, today announced the delivery of vital equipment and vehicles to aid Ukraine in demining its territories.

The package supplied to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) includes 14 cutting-edge pyrotechnic vehicles, mine detectors, car radio stations, and personal protective equipment, including body armour and helmets. The aid will provide protection to mine-clearers when removing explosive hazards from Ukrainian territories. 

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, more than 367,000 explosive objects have been defused, according to the SESU. Nonetheless, the severity of the country's contamination is of such a magnitude that eliminating the remnants of the war will require decades.

Furthermore, the destruction of the Kakhovka dam has aggravated the already critical situation of mine contamination in the country. The flood waters from the dam breach carried numerous landmines downstream, which now pose a significant threat to entire communities. This situation requires emergency response teams to remain vigilant and operate efficiently.

To overcome these challenges, UNDP and its partners are constantly supporting the SESU at the forefront of emergency clearance efforts, providing specialized pyrotechnic vehicles and protective equipment to demining units. This is the fourth aid package delivered under the UNDP’s 'Emergency Explosive Ordnance and Debris Removal' project funded by the Government of Japan. With this latest aid delivery, the total amount of assistance to the SESU within the project now exceeds US$1.1 million.

Jaco Cilliers, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, said that the challenges posed by the extensive contamination of explosive hazards require continuous support and immediate response from the international community. “We continue to stand alongside the Ukrainian government, supporting their efforts to protect and assist those most affected in Ukraine,” Cilliers said. "Through our partnership with Japan, UNDP remains steadfast in bringing emergency clearance efforts to the forefront, and providing the necessary resources to overcome these hazards."

Serhiy Kruk, the Head of the SESU, highlighted the importance of such support: "The de-occupied territory of Ukraine is densely mine-contaminated, since the enemy mined everything in their path, so there is a lot of work ahead,” Kruk said. “Of course, armour protection, machinery and equipment quickly fail and need to be replaced." 

Kruk also thanked UNDP and Japan for providing constant support to SESU demining units since the full-scale invasion. "The recently received 14 specialized vehicles will be sent to demining units who defuse explosive ordnance and clear Ukrainian land of enemy mines and ammunition every day," he said.

Background: The UNDP and Japan provided the first large shipment of special protective and technical equipment to SESU units in October 2022. Another batch of equipment was sent in January 2023.  The support continued with the delivery of eight operational pyrotechnic vehicles in March 2023.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, Communications Team Leader, UNDP in Ukraine; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org