More than four years after the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine is now the most mine-contaminated country in the world.
An estimated 30% of its territory — around 174,000 square kilometres — is potentially contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance. Since February 2022, more than 1,300 people have been injured, including at least 135 children.
Children at risk
“This is a widespread and often invisible threat, which continues to strike even far from the front line and particularly affects the lives of the youngest,” says Piero Meda, Country Director of WeWorld Ukraine.
Children and young people are among those most exposed to the danger. As families return to damaged or formerly occupied areas, children may find themselves learning, playing and moving through spaces that are potentially contaminated. In these unstable environments, the risk is not always easy to recognise. Curiosity, combined with limited information, can increase the danger.
In the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions, WeWorld’s SMINA project, funded by the Italian Cooperation and implemented in collaboration with local partner Peaceful Heaven of Kharkiv, is helping children and communities better understand the risks of unexploded ordnance.
The project uses age-appropriate activities, including games, stories, songs and interactive materials, to help children recognise danger and adopt safe behaviours without instilling fear. Teachers, parents and communities are also involved, helping to strengthen the spread of accurate information and safety practices.
To date, the project has reached more than 10,000 children and adults.
Making land safe again
Alongside this education work, humanitarian demining operations continue across Ukraine. Mines and unexploded ordnance contaminate agricultural land, roads, residential areas and community spaces, limiting people’s freedom of movement and their ability to rebuild their lives.
Women are increasingly undertaking this dangerous and essential work. Around one-third of those involved in demining in Ukraine are women — three times more than in 2021.
For 46-year-old deminer Kateryna (pictured below) from Mykolaiv, each day begins with careful preparation. “In the morning we get ready for work: we load our things into the car, arrive at the site, put on our personal protective equipment and goggles, grab our tools and metal detector, and head to our area,” she says.
“We worry about both our lives and those of our colleagues. I really enjoy this work, especially my colleagues. I enjoy clearing the land so our farmers can plant.”
Kateryna says more women are now entering the sector, motivated by the chance to help farmers and communities safely return to their land. “My family is already used to me working as a deminer and helping people,” she says. “At first, they strongly advised me against pursuing this profession, but I said I would work carefully and that I wanted to help people.
“I have two children. I told them I would become a deminer, and they took it well. They understand it’s dangerous, but at the same time, they know it’s also a way to help people.”
Kateryna says there is a strong sense of equality among the demining teams. “We all work at the same level. There’s no distinction between men and women here. Everyone does their job and treats each other equally.”
The danger beneath the surface
Karina, another deminer in her twenties, is involved in field work in Mykolaiv. Her experience illustrates the unpredictable nature of working in contaminated environments, where danger is often hidden from view.
“At first, everything was quiet,” she says. “I was digging and suddenly I saw some cloth, a plastic bag, and then a small green bag.
“I immediately called my team leader. It turned out there were eight grenades and ammunition inside. Someone had hidden them on purpose and even left a mark on a tree. At first, my knees were shaking. The scariest thing is the unknown: when you don’t know what’s in front of you and what could happen.”
An enduring legacy of war
Mines and unexploded ordnance are among the most enduring legacies of conflict. Even after fighting ends, their impact can continue for years, restricting movement, disrupting education, preventing families from returning home safely and limiting communities’ ability to recover.
“We will remember this war for a long time,” says Piero. “Mines will continue to pose a threat even after the fighting is over. This is why it is essential to work with children: they will grow up in a country where these risks will be part of everyday life, and they must have the tools to recognise and protect themselves.”