Ukraine Seeks Mine Action Reform Amidst Extensive Contamination from Russian Invasion

Ukraine faces significant mine contamination, exceeding 137,000 square kilometers, making it the most affected country globally. The existing mine action system, designed for a smaller scale, fails to meet current needs, with an audit revealing poor interagency coordination and overlapping government mandates as key issues.

Multiple institutions regulate mine action, including the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, complicating decision-making and accountability. While around 130 mine action operators are active, commercial operators cleared the majority of contaminated land in 2024, at 56.6%.

A draft law is being prepared to reform the outdated mine action framework, proposing a centralized authority for policy implementation and clear distinctions between military and humanitarian demining. This reform aims to enhance efficiency and transparency, addressing the urgent need for a sustainable response to mine contamination.