Over 1,000 Ukrainians Injured by Mines Since Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, landmines and explosive remnants of war have injured more than 1,000 Ukrainian civilians, including 100 children, according to the Main Directorate for Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety.

As of November 1, 2024, a total of 1,068 Ukrainians have been injured due to mine incidents, with adults comprising 968 of those affected, the Directorate’s press service reported. The injuries encompass a range of demographics, including 199 farmers, 80 pensioners, 112 critical infrastructure workers, 79 drivers, and 90 students.

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are conducting criminal investigations into each case involving Russian-laid mines, citing potential violations of wartime protocols and customs.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ukraine’s mine-contaminated areas are estimated to cover 156,000 square kilometers, surpassing the land area of Switzerland by over four times. In February 2024, Ukraine introduced a standardized certification procedure for mine action operators, seeking to expedite clearance operations.

Efforts to address mine contamination include deploying new demining machinery produced in Ukraine. The first domestically manufactured machine certified for soil preparation to detect and neutralize anti-personnel mines was introduced earlier this year, with two more units added by February. In March, the Ukrainian government partnered with US-based Palantir to develop an artificial intelligence-supported demining system.