Initial demining of de-occupied territories in Ukraine set to last 12 months

This was reported by the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Aliona Matveieva, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to the official, initial operational demining involves that of motorways and exits in the relevant de-occupied territories, followed by residential areas, civil infrastructure (including critical facilities) and territories around populated areas.

“We expect that the initial demining in the de-occupied territories will be done within a year, which will be followed by demining of forest strips, fields, reservoirs, etc.,” Matveieva said.

The official recalled that Ukraine’s partners supported the country on its way to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which provides international coordinated operational assistance in emergency situations. The Mechanism brings together all EU emergency services.

The spokeswoman told the press that on September 5, with the participation of a number of international partners, as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and State Emergency Service, an agreement was signed to support Ukraine on the path to joining the said Mechanism.

Matveieva noted that the Mechanism over its entire history has not yet encountered humanitarian challenges of such a scale that Ukraine has recently faced.

“But it continues to provide aid, involving all 27 EU countries, as well as Turkey, Norway, and North Macedonia. We are grateful to our European partners for their help in combating the challenges and threats that have emerged due to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine,” the spox said.

She also noted that Ukrainian rescuers acquired new skills while dealing with the fallout of the Russian invasion, being ready to share their experience in order to strengthen the EU civil protection system.

As reported, Estonia, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania officially backed Ukraine’s bid to join the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine