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Demining Coalition Backed by 22 Nations Raises $55 Million to Clear Explosives Across Ukraine

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Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
Author
Demining Coalition Backed by 22 Nations Raises $55 Million to Clear Explosives Across Ukraine
Sappers of the 808th Brigade of the Combat Engineering of the Ukrainian Armed Forces carry out demining of a field at the place, where the positions of Russian troops were in 2022, on April 7, 2024, in Kherson region, Ukraine. (Source: Getty Images)

In February 2024, Ukraine and its international partners signed a Protocol of Intent to launch the Demining Capability Coalition—one of eight coalitions formed under the Ukraine Defense Contact Group framework, and so far raised almost $55 million in partner contributions, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense announced on April 4.

The coalition was created in response to one of the most pressing post-war threats facing Ukraine: the contamination of vast areas of land with explosive remnants of war and landmines, posing a deadly danger to civilians and hampering reconstruction.

In addition to humanitarian demining, Ukrainian forces urgently need specialized equipment to clear enemy minefields and deploy their own defenses along the front line.

To address this dual challenge, the Demining Coalition was established in February 2024 under the broader Ramstein-format defense support initiative.

Led and coordinated by Lithuania and Iceland, the coalition is currently the largest of its kind, with 22 participating countries. Other member states include Belgium, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Moldova, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, France, Finland, Croatia, Czechia, Sweden, and Japan.

The coalition’s mandate includes supplying Ukraine with essential demining equipment and training Ukrainian specialists. It covers both humanitarian and combat demining efforts, with a centralized fundraising and procurement mechanism managed by Lithuania’s Central Project Management Agency (CPMA).

So far, the coalition has raised almost $55 million in partner contributions. Ukrainian engineering and transport units have received more than 200 specialized vehicles, 100 explosive obstacle breaching systems, 41 armored vehicles, 330 metal detectors, 154 anti-drone rifles, and a range of additional technical gear and supplies.

More than 4,000 Ukrainian demining specialists have also completed training under NATO and IMAS standards in partner-country training centers, with ongoing programs planned.

The Demining Coalition is part of a broader framework of eight capability coalitions created to accelerate Ukraine’s defense modernization.

These include the Air Force Coalition, Integrated Air and Missile Defense Coalition, Naval Capability Coalition, Drone Coalition, IT Coalition, Artillery Coalition, Armor and Maneuver Coalition, and the Demining Coalition.

Earlier, reports emerged that France-based company ELWAVE will supply Ukraine with its electromagnetic Tetrapulse sensors to assist in detecting mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Ukrainian waters.

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