Ukraine

Mine Action

Humanitarian demining Capacity building Explosive ordnance risk education

Active in Ukraine since 2015, FSD currently operates in the Chernihiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Poltava, Mykolaiv and Sumy regions. Around 450 staff work to locate and destroy landmines and explosive remnants of war, while also strengthening local capacities in humanitarian demining.

More than a quarter of the country potentially contaminated by landmines

The war in Ukraine has left a devastating legacy of antipersonnel and anti-vehicle mines, as well as munitions that failed to explode on impact, posing a constant threat to civilians. More than a quarter of the country may be contaminated. These explosive hazards also restrict access to vital infrastructure, hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid, slow reconstruction and agricultural recovery, and keep communities living in constant fear, prevent the safe return of displaced people.

33 FSD demining teams at work in Ukraine

In total, around 450 FSD staff are working across the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson, Poltava, Mykolaiv and Sumy regions. The personnel are divided into thirty-three demining teams, ten non-technical survey teams and ten explosive ordnance risk education teams. Five mechanical demining teams prepare land for clearance and remove rubble from damaged or destroyed structures, while one mine detection dog team supports clearance operations.

Our impact in Ukraine (since June 2022)

+500,000

people reached through explosive ordnance risk education sessions

+600

staff deployed

+5,000,000

m2 of land made safe

Clearing hazards, rebuilding lives

By clearing agricultural land, urban areas and key infrastructure, FSD has enabled farmers to return to work, supported reconstruction efforts, restored freedom of movement and removed one of the barriers preventing displaced families from returning home safely, contributing to greater stability in affected regions.

Through explosive ordnance risk education sessions, thousands of people have learned how to stay safe around mines and explosive remnants of war, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.

As of September 2026, FSD’s programme in Ukraine is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the United States Department of State, the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, as well as foundations, Swiss cantons and cities and private donors.