Out in the Ukrainian countryside, Sergej sits on the ground and looks intently at the grass. The sweat is seeping. The temperature has passed 30 degrees. Helmets and protective equipment make the work almost unbearable. With one hand, he gently bends straw and flowers to the side. He turns slowly and finds a small pair of garden shears. Grass is cut away with gentle movements. – The job is dangerous, but it must be done. Our country needs deminers, says Sergej. MINERS: Sergej is one of around 50 people that Norwegian People’s Aid is training in Ukraine. Photo: kari skeie / news Sergej is in the last part of his training to become a deminer. The job is dangerous, but crucial for Ukraine. In a few weeks he will go out into the fields to find real explosives. Ukraine, the world’s most mined country, needs people like Sergej. An area corresponding to just under half of mainland Norway must be investigated and cleared. Around 174,000 square kilometers, Ukrainian authorities estimate. Around 30 percent of the country. A Russian tank mine is hiding in the grass somewhere in Ukraine. The mines are designed to destroy vehicles and tanks. Today, they threaten life, health and agriculture in Ukraine. Tank monuments lie in a row on a field somewhere in Ukraine. Norwegian People’s Aid uses drones, among other things, to map the extent. A Russian tank remains after fierce battles. Ukraine is today the world’s most mined country. In 2023, the country passed both Syria and Afghanistan, a report shows. Explosives are found in the forests, between blocks of flats and in fields. Everywhere where the war has ravaged. It is urgent to get started properly. For the Ukrainian farmer and the country’s economy, mined agricultural areas are a crisis. The soil is fallow Farmer Ljudmila Holub looks out over one of her cornfields. The building is yellow and the harvest is just around the corner. Although this year’s crop is likely to be good, it is not certain that she will get the harvest. WORRIED: Ljudmila Holub’s cornfield will soon be ready for harvest. Photo: kari skeie / news Explosives can be left behind. – We have no guarantee that there will be nothing left when we arrive with the combine harvester. The field was not fully surveyed. For months, her farm was caught in the crossfire between Russian and Ukrainian forces. All buildings, machines and tractors are destroyed. DESTROYED: The farm of Ljudmila Holub has been razed. This building was hit by a Russian bomb, she says. Photo: kari skeie / news Her farm is an important workplace in the village. Before the war, she had over 60 employees. Now she can only afford to pay a little less than half. This year, several of her fields are also fallow. But she is one of the lucky farmers in the area. LUCKY: Ljudmila is among the first farmers in the area to receive help to clear the fields of explosives. Photo: Kari skeie / news Norwegian People’s Aid is in the process of mapping her lands. Remnants of cluster munitions and rockets must be removed. Ljudmila is among the first farmers to receive help. It is also crucial to the survival of her village. – The situation is becoming more complicated every day Norwegian People’s Aid is one of four international organizations that are now present in Ukraine to clear mines. In Mykolajiv County, in the very south of the country, they have been allocated three municipalities by the Ukrainian authorities. Areas with cultivated land are prioritized. Toomas Tamosjunas heads the department. The experienced deminer says it is special to work in Ukraine because the mines have to be cleared while the war is raging. SECURITY: – We work while the conflict is ongoing. This means many restrictions and we must ensure the safety of our employees. Photo: kari skeie / news – The situation becomes more complicated with each passing day. The organizations that clear mines are increasing their presence. We are doing our best to get more people and equipment. It’s going very slowly, but you have to start somewhere. It will take a long time, says Tamosjunas. – We are very scared In the small village of Ukraine, life has started to return. When the war raged at its worst in March last year, only six of the 1,200 inhabitants remained. INFORMATION: Norwegian People’s Aid teaches people in the village of Ukraine about mines and explosives. Photo: kari skeie / news Today, beautiful flower beds adorn the square. Norwegian People’s Aid has also stood up here. Teaching people how to avoid being injured by mines is important to prevent more people from being maimed. Small booklets with information are distributed. Around 200 civilians have lost their lives in mine accidents, the authorities estimate. RESCUE: Even though the fighting is over, Oleana’s village is still dangerous. – We don’t go where we don’t have to, she says. Photo: kari skeie / news One of those who have come to listen is Olina. – We are very afraid of mines. This concerns everyone and we talk a lot about this. People are becoming more cautious, she says.
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The war has turned Ukraine’s lands into deadly minefields – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
