Russia’s Retreat Leaves a Hidden Battlefield—1,739 Ukrainian Civilians Killed or Injured

A total of 1,739 civilians, including 178 children, have been injured or killed by mines and explosive remnants of war in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

This was reported by ArmyInform on October 12, citing data from the Main Directorate for Mine Action, Civil Protection and Environmental Safety.

The figures show that farmers, unemployed people, pensioners, and critical infrastructure workers were among the groups most frequently affected.

The recorded casualties included:

• 306 farmers;

• 256 unemployed people;

• 170 pensioners;

• 166 critical infrastructure workers;

• 112 drivers;

• 171 school students.

The directorate collects, analyzes, and verifies information on incidents involving mines and other explosive remnants of war. Data is supplied by regional military administrations, State Emergency Service units, and the National Police before being entered into a centralized information system.

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies open criminal proceedings over civilian mine incidents as possible violations by Russia of the laws and customs of war. The collected information is also used to identify victims’ needs, conduct mine-risk education, and coordinate assistance for people with blast injuries.

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Category

War in Ukraine

Canadians Help Ukrainians Win the War Against Russia’s Landmines

Jul 21, 2026 11:45

Ukraine continues large-scale clearance operations across liberated territories as mines and unexploded ordnance remain a persistent threat. In September alone, Ministry of Defense units surveyed and cleared 1,347 hectares, including nearly 340 hectares of agricultural land, and destroyed 364 explosive objects.

The scale of contamination has also prompted Kyiv to seek compensation from Moscow for the cost of cleanup. On August 14, the Register of Damage for Ukraine began accepting claims for demining, explosive ordnance clearance, specialist training, and mine-risk education, as well as a separate category for humanitarian spending.

Almost 23% of Ukraine's territory remains contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance, with roughly 128,000 square kilometers considered potentially hazardous. Full clearance is expected to take at least ten years, and clearing a single hectare of farmland can cost at least $1,400.

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