In Ukraine, the ongoing conflict has left vast agricultural areas contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance, severely impacting food production. In Mykolayiv, Inna Boiko's 50,000-hectare farm was heavily damaged during nine months of Russian occupation, with landmines and shell craters littering the area. Since November 2022, farmers like Boiko have been using makeshift drones for demining, a testament to their resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity. The Ukrainian government has actively sought international aid, attracting machinery from Japan and funding from philanthropist Howard Buffett [0ab71f7b].
As of 2024, approximately 20% of previously mined land has been made usable again, marking significant progress in the demining efforts. However, Ukraine has lost a third of its agricultural land since the invasion, making these efforts crucial for restoring its status as Europe's breadbasket. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has been a major contributor to these initiatives, providing technological solutions to enhance demining operations. Japan has emerged as a significant non-military aid provider, with a third of demining machines expected to be Japanese-made by the end of the year [0ab71f7b].
Despite these advancements, the challenge of mine contamination remains a long-term issue, with experts estimating that it could take decades to fully clear the land. The presence of landmines not only poses a threat to civilians but also hinders agricultural recovery, making the international community's support vital for Ukraine's future. The HALO Trust, a humanitarian organization, has cleared over 19,000 landmines, but the overall cost to demine and restore the land is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. The World Bank and several countries have contributed funding for these demining efforts, recognizing the importance of restoring agricultural productivity in Ukraine [0ab71f7b].
Recently, a new complication has arisen regarding the U.S. offer to provide Ukraine with anti-personnel mines. This proposal has raised significant concerns among campaigners, who argue that it jeopardizes the integrity of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, to which Ukraine is a signatory. Ukrainian defense official Yevhenii Kivshyk has stated that he will communicate these concerns to Kyiv, urging the government to reject the proposal. The treaty currently has 164 signatories, and the introduction of U.S. landmines could create a crisis for this global agreement [8eed4d2f].
The use of landmines in the conflict has been condemned as a violation of international humanitarian law, prompting calls for investigations into their use as a war crime. The international community continues to support demining initiatives, understanding that the safety of civilians and the restoration of agricultural lands are critical for Ukraine's recovery [0ab71f7b].