Yulia Svyrydenko: Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has returned 40,700 km² of land to use, including 15,100 hectares of agricultural land

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has returned 40,700 km² of land to productive use, of which 15,100 hectares are agricultural land cleared as part of the Government’s Humanitarian Demining programme. This was announced by Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.

Today, on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, we note that Ukraine remains the most contaminated country in the world with explosive ordnance – over 130,000 km² of territory is potentially dangerous. The highest levels of contamination are in Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Donetsk regions.

“At the same time, we are turning this problem into experience: we are changing our approaches to demining, reducing costs and involving Ukrainian robotic systems.

This year we plan to return almost another 10,000 hectares to use, primarily agricultural land. The list has been drawn up for the first time using the GRIT prioritisation system,” Yulia Svyrydenko emphasised.

According to the Prime Minister, Ukraine is developing the market for demining operators: their number has grown from 74 to 134, including through the involvement of the private sector alongside the State Emergency Service and the State Special Transport Service.

There is also a programme to compensate the cost of demining for individuals and self-employed farmers – applications can be submitted through the State Agrarian Register.

The Prime Minister noted that the Soul of Soil campaign continues, which promotes produce from demined territories and supports humanitarian demining.

Yulia Svyrydenko expressed gratitude to everyone working to clear Ukrainian land – this is about people’s safety and support for the economy.